A tree has been cut down without council approval after a driver crashed into it and died in Te Puke.
The tree, on the west side of the Ohineangaanga stream bridge on Jellicoe St, was removed towards the end of last week.
Council contractors removed the tree's remains on Friday and Monday, and the stump ground on Tuesday.
A Western Bay of Plenty District Council spokesperson says the council does not support or tolerate damage to community assets.
"At this stage no decisions have been made on whether there will be further action related to this."
Rutu Watson - aunt of Paruhi Watson, who died in the crash - said she did not know who had cut down the tree but was glad they did.
"I've been away all week but came back [Monday] night and saw the tree.
"Our first thought was 'good job'. Whoever did that, I'll shout them a feed of fish and chips.
"... that's where our nephew got killed."
Te Puke resident Lyn Govenlock has written to the Te Puke Times, saying her heart goes out to Paruhi Watson's whanau.
"Such tragic loss and serious injury affects many people and alters lives forever," she writes.
She was pleased to see the tree had been felled.
"This is the third fatality from cars slamming into this same, heavily crash scarred tree that I am aware of," she writes, describing it as "a solid, deciduous tree located in a spot that perfectly lined up with any vehicle that failed to make the corner [for whatever reason] after crossing the Ohineangaanga stream bridge travelling westward out of Te Puke.
"I have no doubt that the cutting down of this tree has saved the lives of some future motorists."
A resident, who did not want to be named, had also emailed the Te Puke Times, saying she did not understand how anyone would consider it a right to cut down the tree.
"I know of a number of people who are wondering why the tree was suddenly cut down, as there were no signs of external damage that would indicate that the accident may have made it hazardous to leave in situ," she writes.
Another woman, staying nearby with an aunt, disagreed with the cutting down of the tree. It had been a mature tree for the 50 years she had been visiting her aunt.
"I felt sorry for the tree, it has been there for all those years."