“There’s decade old trees in this forest. It’s a regenerating matter forest,” Abel said. “It will completely change the structure of the forrest. Native tree ferns will dry out without the canopy. Pine trees provide habitat for birds and insects, and there’s hundred of tons of carbon stored in these trees. “The structure, character and ecology of this forest should be respected.”
Steve Abel/Supplied
Activist Steve Abel says work to clear a path to fell the pine trees has resulted in some native trees, such as this pōhutukawa have been cut down. Abel claims a 15-year-old kauri tree and a 30-year-old pōhutukawa tree were among the natives that had been cut down to clear a path for the felling.