Spread of trees

Press, 26 October 1989, Page 14

Spread of trees

Sir,—The implication of Derrick Rooney’s article (October 21) appears to be that tree spread in the high country is not a problem. The treeless character of the high country has long been recognised as a notable feature of our heritage and its importance for conservation and agricultural production is undisputed. While the areas covered by self-sown (wilding) exotic trees may be localised, it is the potential posed by this seed source of aggressive exotic colonisers that is the problem. One does . not have to look beyond Canterbury to find examples of uncontrolled wilding spread. It has been estimated that more than 1300 hectares are affected in the Malvern County alone. It is of concern that so few resources are committed to controlling the situation. Now is the time for land managers, and tree planters, to remove potential seed trees before tree spread becomes a problem of major proportion and cost. — Yours, etc. MIKE HARDING, Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society. October 24, 1989. [Derrick Rooney comments: “I certainly agree with the last two sentences of Mr Harding’s letter. However, the implication in the article was that tree spread need not be a problem. It is predictable and easily controlled — if sufficient resources are committed to the purpose.”]