The Central Otago District Council has put an end to social media rumours of any application or plans to remove Cromwell’s beloved giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) trees in Inniscourt Street, near Old Cromwell. 

There had been rumour and speculation on social media recently as to an application to remove the famous giant sequoia trees, which are also known as “Wellingtonias”. 

The giant sequoias of Cromwell have become iconic, and are not being marked for removal. 

A CODC spokesperson said they had not received any application. 

“No, we haven’t had any application to alter or remove these trees.”

Giant sequoia trees are listed as “endangered” worldwide and originate from California. 

The oldest known giant sequoia is 3,200–3,266 years old. 

The two trees are recorded on the New Zealand Tree Register, one under OR/0515 and the other listed as OR/1159. 

The trees were planted approximately 134 years ago,  as a living memorial to the pioneers of the district. 

The trees were planted as a living memorial to the pioneers of the district. 

Under the register, tree OR/0515 was first listed by E. Ombler in 1993, and is recorded as being planted “circa 1886”, which puts it at 134 years old. 

The register states, “standing aloft from the neighbouring church spires, the two giant trees (this the eastern and tallest tree) in Inniscourt Street Cromwell, are a living memorial to the pioneers of the district'.” 

It lists the trees were planted by Mary Ann and John Richards - John was one time licensee of the Bannockburn Hotel.

The second tree, OR/1159, was registered by B.G. Cadwallader in 2013. It is the second and smaller of the two trees.

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