Business grew from fruit stones

Press, 31 March 1980, Page 14

Business grew from fruit stones

It could be said Amberley House tree nursery grew from plum stones. . “I’ve always grown trees without thinking,” says Doug Eaves, looking back to the days as a young' boy planting fruit stones for fun on his father’s sheep and cropping farm at Hawarden. About ten years ago, he went on a Young Farmers work exchangt trip. to a Canadian horticultural station. The next step was a three-yer partnership with his father, George Eaves, for 172 ha of the neighbouring Hui Hui station, then he was on hiw onw. There were no trees at all, so Doug Eaves planted 7.3 ha of wood lot and three kilometres of windbreaks. With his- -wife, Helen, they tended 1600 ewes, cropping and everything else that had to be done.

He became known for his young trees, which were sought by farmers in the district. He joined the forestry association and ‘‘it just grew from there.” About two years ago, it was decided to concentrate on trees, so the farm was sold and the family shifted to Amberley “only because of its location within reach of a wider farming community and slightly less risky climate.” ■ It was a struggle getting the nursery established and 400 sheep were run during the first 18 months for an income.

The joint proprietors handled all the work until January of this year, when Miss Nicky George, of Amberley, became their first employee. She. is undertaking her . preLincoln practical year for a horticultural diploma. Doug Eaves expects ther will be an opening in the future for more casual labour in the nursery. The business has been assisted with information from forest research stations at Rangiora and Rotorua and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries hotriculture division. An extensive range of books has been gathered, but “you can’t apply it until you’ve tried it anyway — you’ve just got to try it.” Doug Eaves is secretary of the North Canterbury branch of the New Zea-

land Farm Forestry Association and on the national executive. This organisation has 170 members in North Canterbury and 5000 in New Zealand. He is chairman of the North Canterbury branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Society. His outlook on conservation is moderate — a concern to do something positive to make people aware. Pointing out that he cuts down trees on his own property, he believes there has to be a balance between nature and people. The total property consists of 39ha but the Eaves plan to develop 6.9 ha over the next few years, leasing the balance. On a clear day. a blue line of sea is visible two kilometres away.

The nursery is four kilometres south of Amberley‘on a private road about one kilometre from State Highway One. It is planned to eventually landscape this road and plant named tree specimens. The nursery might become a family concern one day, but Felicia, aged four years, Vanessa (2) and Ashton (14 days), are still young. - s '-. ■<: Doug Eaves is an optimist and finds the prospects very challenging “as supply has been fairly sparse, with demand for shelter belt trees outstripping available varieties.” There are no sheep now, but his working week is probably 60 hours or more. He is not too worried, as he says “when you enjoy doing’ it, it doesn’t really matter.”