White Pine Trees

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 264, 6 November 1941, Page 8

White Pine Trees

REPLANTING IN POHANGINA VALLEY Although appreciable diflieultics have been encounted and the rate of growth is slow, the planting of young white pine trees in parts of the Totara Resorve, Pohangina Valley, has proved encouraging. When tho memorable storm of February, 1936, swept the district it did tremendous damage in the established forest areas on the Tararua Ranges and also brought down many large trees in the Totara Reserve. Action was taken by tho Forestry Department to remove those trees which had a commercial value, and in the spaces caused young white pines were planted, these coming from nurseries. In the natural courso of years the forest will regenerate itself, but the inter-planting of the young trees has provided an interesting study. The soil conditions and the available light have proved favourable also to other growths which have entered into strong competition with the white pine trees. The latter are naturally slow of growth and are, therefore, at a great disadvantage with the faster growing vegetation, this latter growth tending to * 1 blanket” the young trees. Cleaning and realeasing of the trees has been necessary, but the outcome of the undertaking is regarded as quite good under tho circumstances.

Regular studies have been made of tho growth rate of the young trees and of their reactions under certain circumstances, and a good deal of information has thus been gathered. The regeneration of other species of trees, such as titoki and tawa, and of secondary species, is expected to establish quite, a good covering in the reserve, which”is one not only of particular interest to the city and the district, but also of national value as a part of the attractions of tho countryside. The greatest menace of all to forest areas —fire —is constantly present throughout the summer, however, and the reserve is thus never entirely free from the possibility of irreparable damage.