TO BEAUTIFY THE HUTTROAD

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 254, 10 July 1926, Page 4

TO BEAUTIFY THE HUTTROAD

i FORESTRY DEPARTMENT’S REPORT HILLSIDE PLANTING RECOMi ' MENDED 1 . 'A report upon tree-planting along the i Hutt Road, supplied to the Automobile Association by Air. E. Phillips-Turner (secretary to the Forestry Department), points ont objections additional to those ! already raised in regard to the planting along the road itself, but emphasises 1 the added beauty that would accrue to the hillside through replanting with native trees and shrubs. ; In the course of his report, furnished at the request of the association, Mr. ' Phillips-Turner says that he is by no' means sanguine of the success of trees in the adverse conditions that would be met on the roadside, but he recommends . the acquisition of the whole of the lower I steep hillside fronting the road, on which ■ there now exists a good scrubby growth, and suggests that' among' this growth I there could bo planted successfully, in judiciously selected spots, tree-ferns, cabbage trees, pohutukawas, kowhai, kaI raka, titoki, totara, lacebarks, kaiko- ' make, southern rata, and numerous other trees. “In time,” says Mr. Phil-lips-Turner, “the pristine beauty of the cliff would be restored. The compensation for the sites would be merely nomiJ nal, building sites could be omitted, and' access roads to the rear lands also omitted from the areas required.” If the sea side of the road is to be planted, Mr. Phillips-Turner suggests I hardy native trees, such as pohutukawa ' and ngaio. Holes made for planting must be at least three feet in diameter and three feet deep. The cost of making I, .the hole would be about 155., and there would be about a ton of rock to cart ■ away. The trees would cost about 2s. 3d. each, on an average, and cabbage trees would be slightly cheaper. Triangular wooden guards would need to be ! ■ erected to protect the young tree, and about a top of soil would be needed for the planting. Probably this could be got from the hillside without payment of royalty, and it might be reckoned that each tree would cost abopt 30s. planted in position. The trees should be i planted five feet from the kerb. If the water mains and electric cables were situated five feet from the trees they should not be damaged. Ngaio would never be a trouble to the overhead i wires, and. pohutukawa would not be for 15 to 20 years, and if so then could be carefully trimmed. With a circular area of earth not less than tbrep feet in diameter about the trees, it is not conaidered that tho bitumen surface of the road and footpath would affect the trees adversely,' and the fumes of passing engines would not be sufficient to damage them. The very exposed position would ' be most adverse, and would probably prevent regularity of growth. Upon the receipt of further reports from 'Messrs. Treadwell and Aston, a special meeting of the Automobile Assoelation will be held, and. the question of asking motorists to provide the trees will be discussed.