TREE PLANTING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 201, 21 August 1918, Page 2

TREE PLANTING.

FOR FUEL AND TIMBER,

The following extract .from the Marliborough:' Exj>i;ess. - indicates that., Marl;!borphgh has in extensively - for i ; what.s-Cr. Gibbons, of :the Nelson :City Council describes as -a "wild-cat scheme" of planting trees for timber and firewood, and has already reaped great benefit from the policy : \ Tree .-planting-., is a favourite pursuit with the Lower Wairau River Beard, being viewed by it as not only an essential aid to river conservation but also'an economic advantage of considerable future worth. The Board has planted -marivy thousands of trees, mostly willows, in the Waihopai and other districts during the last few years, and apart from the effect ol the work as a means of holding the rivers in a safe ,course, ; .-an- asset of no small value is, being established in the form of fuel supplies. ..;. ,■ ■ , It .may- -be noted, by the •way, that but for the willow growth which the between Blenheim and. Springlands todraw on during the last tew years- the deficiency and high cost of coal and other firewood., would;'have,..been a much more serious matter for the local householdere--- ; ...v. : .- . . - .

The iiiver Board has been planting the- pinus insignis to -a considerable extent and getting excellent result "with it. This trees does well on anyclass of land, and on the lower i and more fertile localities of the Wairau i*lain it makes. ■ wonderfully rapid growth. A plantation of pines which the Board established a few year ago on what is . practicallyi a river bed area at \. aihopai is a real, object-les-son now.

On Wednesday, night the Board, adopting, a suggestion made by Mr vCarr, instructed the inspector to plant a row of gums alone.the westernVbank of the river from the High street bridge betwen Blenheim and Springlands. tothe Taylor crossing at. Burleigh. This line of trees should in time have, a good scenic effect besides providing" a useful breakwind. .... ■•-. .■-.-

Emphasising- the value of the pinus lnsigrms,. Mr E. •.«.. Parkeiv ■ had been informed that in tfie JNTelson district up to 30s was being paid for old. trees for the manufacture of fruit boxes . The planting of this tree was regarded as -a highly profitable investment for those who could • afford to wait foe then- returns. Growing eight feet apart, 1200 trees went to the acre, and, oil the basis of 15s for -each tree it was .reckoned; that such an acre would •be. -worth. £BOO.. in 20 years