Beech trials to 1976

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33963, 2 October 1975, Page 2

Beech trials to 1976

(N.Z. Press Association) ! GREYMOUTH, October 1. Work on logging and 'planting beech trial areas on the West Coast will continue to the end of 1976, at least. The [Forest Service has completed eight trials, another two are under way, and a further 10 iare planned for 1976. The service has gathered a huge volume of information, which is now being evaluated, according to the officer in charge of the beech project at Reefton. Mr D. Bryant).

I The trials were started in [August last year. The trials are being con-1 ducted within about a 60mile radius of Reefton. One has just been completed at Hukawai, south of Reefton, and another has just been started at Charleston to find out how the skidders perform on limestone country. Others are to be carried out in the Station Creek area at Maruia; at Callaghans Ridge, south of Ahaura; and at Moonlight. “Two are under way, and 10 are planned for next; year, and so the trials will; continue until at least the end of next year,” said Mr Bryant. “We have a total staff of 40. This includes bushmen: and scientists working on; the project. There is also [other allied research being -carried out by the D.S.I.R.i [and the Ministry of Agricul-, ture.” So far, 140 acres had been - used in the trials, Mr Bryant - said. Some 80 of these had been 'beech-management trials, where trees were left on the area to act as a seed source and the area was encouraged to regenerate beech forest. “The other 60 acres have been logged to a chipwood standard where all the wood on the area down to a Bft by 6in size is logged, and the areas planted in various species of exotics," he said. “One crew is working the! hauler and another the skid-! der. A further crew is carry-! ing out roading work to the! area, while another is in the : woodyard at Inangahua! i Junction.

“Some logs are sawed at Reefton, while others go to Nelson to be chipped. “We have accumulated a lot of information on different logging methods, and how they affect different forest areas; this information will be used for any proposed use of the beech forests,” said Mr Bryant. When the beech logging and planting were finished in the trial areas, they would continue to be studied for some years, he said.