RADIATA PINE FELLING

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28935, 1 July 1959, Page 21

RADIATA PINE FELLING

New Techniques May Be Necessary

"The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND, June 30.

Major changes in long-accepted techniques for felling radiata pine may be necessary to safeguard the future of exotic forests in New Zealand. Ideas for the abandonment of the widely used clear-felling system of logging have been discussed at a conference of foresters from every conservancy in the country. These ideas are being seriously considered by the Forest Service. There are two main alternatives to clear-felling in order to achieve the desired regeneration of forests and high quality of timber. The first is to leave the cutting of a block of forest until young plants have established themselves under the protection of the older trees. This would involve much greater logging costs because special equipment and techniques would have to be used to restrict damage to the young trees. The second is to leave about 25 trees to the acre standing when the rest are felled. The trees would be scattered throughout the area. This small number has been proved to give sufficient protection, particularly in maintaining a higher temperature in the area and greatly increases stocking by regeneration.

This has been seen in an experimental area of the Kaingaroa Forest where finally there were only eight adult trees to the acre.

Much trouble has been encountered in obtaining satisfactory regeneration after winter felling. Cones lie on the ground through the winter and when they open it. spring birds eat the seeds.

Deer Menace Screening with bird netting has helped regeneration and the scarification of cut-over land by machine or by hand to stir up the ground and cover the seeds has been suggested. Experiments are being carried out along these linen At Kaingaroa, deer have become a serious enough menace to make the Forest Service give careful thought to the possibility of wholesale poisoning of deer from now on in order to protect the forests.

Foresters at the conference saw how deer had stripped and chewed bark from young trees, seriously affecting their health and vigour and the quality as sawn timber. Deer also browse on young growth up to a foot high, cutting it right back to the ground.