TUNG OIL INDUSTRY

Northern Advocate, 23 October 1935, Page 3

TUNG OIL INDUSTRY

KERIKERI EXPERIMENT Mr. G. E. Alderton, Kerikeri, writes: —“Persons interested in Tung oil trees culture can now see a very fine picture of these trees in full bloom on portion of Mr. E. S. Little’s “Kingston” Plantations, Kerikeri. This is a small experimental enclosure completely enclosed and protected from the wind, and, being so enclosed, has a high temperature. Under these conditions, this experimental plot furnishes conclusive evidence of what Tung oil frees can be made to do here. Previously that information was lacking and the actual possibilities of the industry rested on hypothetical statements. Personally. I have not been interested in any way with Tung oil except that I have been a close observer, and have been waiting to see what the trees would do when they reached the bearing age. This year we have the evidence before us, and it will please a great number of people who have invested money in this industry to hear that the trees as showing at Mr Little’s give every promise of realising the anticipations of the promoters.' These trees are rising five years old, and this season burst into a mass of golden-coloured leaves—itself a beautiful sight—and later they came into bloom like a Japanese cherry, with the multicluster of blossoms peculiar to this variety of Tung. The flower is formed of waxy-white petals ribbed with delicate lines of pink, and the embryo nut nestles in the centre. The trees in this garb make a positively dazzling ensemble, with their large golden leaves and bunches of pinkywhite flowers. Purely as an ornamental tree, it should have its place in every garden. Many of the trees are one mass of bloom, carrying a high percentage of nuts, while all the trees are well loaded. At the end of the season the actual weight of nuts yielded on this plot will furnish de- • finite information as to the 1 weight per acre at a given age. 3|t must be clearly understood, of course, that these trees have been raised under the most ideal conditions, one of which is complete shelter from the wind. The tree bears a very large leaf, which is easily broken up in a high wind, and the delicate blossom would not stand high wind pressure. It seems obvious that great care should be exercised in selecting a site for Tung trees as to the contour of the country and the possible wind pressure. Ample shelter belts in any case must be provided to shut out cold winds, and these shelters require to be high, as the trees on Mr Little’s are in some cases from 15 to 20 feet high. The surrounding shelter belt varies from 30 to 40 feet high, and varieties of the eucalypt seem best for the purpose, being quick to grow and the most permanent. The Albizzia Lophantha, which is much used at Kerikeri as a quick temporary shelter, is too fragile as a permanent shelter, as the full-grown tree will collapse in a gale.”