REAFFORESTATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 April 1941, Page 12

REAFFORESTATION

RESULTS AT ROSS PLANTATION.

The Executive of the Dominion Federated Sawmillers’ Association met at Hokitika during the week, members being present from all parts of the Dominion.

' By the courtesy of Mr. F. Perham, Conservator of Forests for the Westland Region, members visited the plantations of exotic trees on the Ross road on Thursday, and spent an interesting morning, Mr. Perham explaining the various methods followed to test the suitability of various species.

The following comments on the plantations were made to the Star by Mr. L. E. H. Baigent, who has had a .vide experience in both growing and milling of exotic timber in the Nelson district: “The condition of the Pinus Insignis is very disappointing. In most cases the growth appears to be blowing down, and little success car. be looked for from the growth of this ipecies in the wet, sour country which has originally grown rimu. On welljrained slopes only, Pinus Insignis might give satisfactory returns. But jn the other hand, some of the Dougas firs, and almost all the cedars, show growth and general healthiness hat clearly indicates they will thrive under local conditions. The cedars ilso stand excessive shade, and intersting progress has been made in die .study of this class when underwanted to native bush. The annua: -rowth of the cedars appears to insrease progressively, the progress during the first three years of life be,ng very slow, while the rate advances rapidly thereafter. It is understood that opossums and the at:acks of a locust are considered to be obstacles to the growth of the cedars, but little evidence of this could be seen. The cedars are slower growing .han Pinus Insignis, but the timber is i valuable one, and the crop rotation period of the cedars should be well within the limits of practical and proitable forestry. The need for immediate action, in the direction of further planting of the cedal class is definitely very urgent and cannot be jver-emphasised.”