NATIVE TREES IN THE DOMAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 244, 12 October 1917, Page 6

NATIVE TREES IN THE DOMAIN.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —In wandering through the beautiful native bush in your fine Domain 1 was sorry to see that the native trees and shrubs are doomed, in consequence of the struggle between the two, viz., native and exotic. I venture to predict that within a very few years the native bush will be practically non-existant. The natives have no hope against such trees as the oak. on account of the great number of seedings. which not only rob the native, but growing so closely and in such numbers smother them. The privet, not a tree of beauty, is increasing at what I consider an alarming rate, and against which tho native has not a chance. Then again the conifers, and also tbe are smothering many of the beautiful native trees and shrub-. As one who knows perhaps little about the matter, but takes a keen interest in the native flora, might 1 he allowed to suggest that a portion at least of your magnificent reserve bo devoted to natives, and that some of the exotics that arc interfering with their growth and taking from them their beauty, bo removed so as to give them a better -how. A portion of your Domain entirely representative of the native flora would he a source of delight to a very largo number, and of great value from a botanical point of view. While making these suggestions I must congratulate your city on the care of its beautiful gardens. It is a treat indeed to wander through them. They evidence great care and attention at all points.— I am. etc-., g. McGregor,