Native Tree Identifications

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1939, Page 2

Native Tree Identifications

Identification of any native trees sent in by schools is another service which the “Advocate” offers its readers. Specimens should be numbered and a duplicate set kept at school. Identification is easier if some flower or fruit is enclosed with specimen—even a burst seed case is a great aid. There is no need to remind schools now that specimens should be enclosed in damp moss or a damp cloth.

Ngaiaratunua School—(1) Raukawa (Nothopanax Edgerleyi); (2) Kohoho (Solanum aviculare); (3) Haka (Erigeron canadensis); (4) Houpara (Pseudopanax Lessonii); (5) Ake Ake (Dodonea viscosa); <6) Manatu (Plagianthus betulinus); (7) Mairc (Fusanus Cunninghamii); (8) Tawapou (Sideroxylon costatum); 19) Waiuatua (Rhabdothamnus Solandri) NATIVE TREES AT TAKAHIWAI If you want to see young people keen on native trees, just take a trip to Takahiwai. When an “Advocate” man called there only last week he was shown the school nursery.

There were baby seeds just poking their heads above the soil of seed boxes; there were plants much, more sturdy.

And each one of these plants has the care of boys and girls of the school —boys and girls whose interest in native trees is inspirational. “You’ll find many more schools with tree nurseries,” Kupe assured the “Advocate” representative when ho returned to H.Q. "Remember our Centennial Tree Planting scheme? Well, Mr Dennehy tells me the quarter of ■a million trees are well on their way and large numbers will be ready for planting out early next year.” “I’ll watch out for Ihese as I go round the countryside,” said the‘representative.

And so, Northlanders. be sure to show your trees if the “Advocate” man calls at your school. He’s just as interested as you are. TREE FERNS FOR SCHOOL Punaruku Native School has decided on planting an avenue of tree-ferns from the gate to the school. May. June and July are ideal for planting these, and the following details are given in case other scoools care to follow Punaruku’s example.

Select black-stemmed plants (Maori name Koran or Mamaku), with a trunk not over sft high. Avoid plants with silver stems which are the common ponga. Probably plants 2£t. to 3tt. high are most suitable. Dig around the trunk 12 inches out ail the way round. The roots generally ■are not more than 12 deep, but you will be absolutely safe if you dig down 18 inches. Before transplanting trees, cut oft at the leaves, leaving only the young stem in the centre. Leave just enough of the main black stem, for protection say seven or eight inches. Trees should be planted about 20 feet apart. They are easy to transprant. Dig a hole 2ft Gin to 3ft deep, and after putting tree in hole, just coyer the root with soil. Then water soil copiously and work the tree around so that waterworks down into mud forming a real puddle. Fill remainder of hole with dry soil and : you should have no further trouble.