Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, JULY 23, 1923 PLANT TREES FOR POLES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 23 July 1923, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, JULY 23, 1923 PLANT TREES FOR POLES

1 IN the course of his address at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Forestry League Sir James Wilson, the President, remarked that the planting of trees is brought forcibly before us every clay now that electric power boards are daily entering into contracts for poles. Not a day should be lost in making a ' start to plant trees suitable for this purpose. We have only one native species which we can use, viz., silver pine, but it is scarce and docs not stand the same strain as the eucalyptus used, although quite suitable for general purpqpos. It is, however, scarce, and that of the , West Coast of the South Island is almost worked out. The State, in this matter, should be the pioneers. It 'a doubtful if the climate of much of New | Zealand is suitable for the growth ox | the best species for pole purposes, but there must he a largo area in the North suitable, and only awaiting planting. There have been so many disappointments when imported Australian poles have been used, that the utmost care is necessary to ascertain the proper varieties to grow*. In an article lately published in Board and Council, the writer, a power board enquirer, stressed the fact that after the most careful enquiries—greatly assisted by the Forestry Department 'in New South Wales—lie came to tfte conclusion to specify only three varieties, viz., E. paniculate,-E. crcbra, and E sidcrophloia. Von Mueller records them as natives of New South Wales or Queensland. Our progenitor, the late Sir David Hutchins, in his report advised that E. corymbose should be planted North of Auckland to supply sleepers, but its habit, it was stated, renders it unsuitable for poles, though extremely durable. There are others which are recommended, but these three species stand cut on their own strength and durability. If the Government would procure seed true to name and plant a plot for demonstration purposes, many would no doubt follow suit. Given suitable land and climate and a successful plantation in 20 or 30 years from planting .1- is cor-

lain I hat sueli poles would he worfli £1 a jiicce. Planted 6 fed a pari I here would he 1210 trees (o Iho acre. 'The advice to plant pears for your heirs, might be paraphrased into: ‘"plant euealypts as an endowment for every child when horn,” and it would heal all possible insurance investments. It would bo well, added Sir James Wilson if the Forestry Service were to makecareful investigation ns to the best timbers to grow for this purpose in Australia.'in conjunction with the Forestry Department in the various States. A\ bile those mentioned are undoubtedly suitable, the supply of these, owing to the great number wo require, will soon be scarce. In accordance’with their usual habitat they may require to be grown in the warmer districts in New Zealand. It may bo that some variety, quite durable and suitable for polo purposes, might be found in Tasmania, and if so, could no doubt bo grown in southern districts. If this investigation were made and an authentic report published, il might be the means of saving a very large sum to New Zealand. Already many poles have ban to he renewed after a very short service, and there are signs that many more will soon have to be replaced. the only cirawbaek to the eucalvpts is that in some districts they are attacked by a scale which has done great damage on the West Coast, but its natural enemy, the ladybird, has been liberated in the plantations, and it is hoped will be able to cope with the pest —as it has already done in the South Island.