Gale Damage
Sir, —The third disaster in 20 years in our local forests must be an extremely costly, lesson for our .foresters and taxpayers. These forests will never be any good’ because of the extremely poor soilconditions combined with the low rainfall in these areas. After the disaster 20 years ago the head foresters were strongly advised to irrigate. This was ignored. Trees in these areas stop growing in girth after about 15 pr 20 years. They continue to make head-growth; they then become top-heavy and are ready to topple under practically any wind because of the poor root system. Ninety per cent of the fallen trees are useless except for pulping and even for this they have low value because they are only
“matchsticks.” Either irrigate these areas of-forest or abandon them in favour of the foqthijls. There are. thousands of. acres around Oxford growing gorse arid scrub which would be suitable on account of the higher rainfall and better soil conditions for tree roots.—Yours; etc., MATAGOURI SPIKE. March. 24, 1964. [The Conservator of Forests, Christchurch (Mr. F. J. Ranger) said he preferred not to comment at present.)
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30401, 28 March 1964, Page 12
Word Count
189Gale Damage Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30401, 28 March 1964, Page 12
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