WESTLAND AFFORESTATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17885, 13 September 1921, Page 6

WESTLAND AFFORESTATION

REGENERATION OF BUSH. COVraWMTCNT. INVESTIGATION. Valuable work is being carried out by the State Forests Department in the forest areas of West land, with a view Uf obtaining data regarding the regeneration of felled bush areas. The results of these investigations up to date were dealt with in a paper read before the Canterbury Philosophical Institute by Mr. G. H Fowcraker. A rain forest, said the speaker, waa a forest in an area where there was a large number of ramy days in the year. The vegetation of the Westland rain foren. might be divided into four tiers; first, the high tier, then the broad-lea;ed trees, then the smaller shrubs, and lastly the forest floor—ferns, etc. The maintenance of the forest floor was one of the most important factors in. maintaining the forest's growth. The forest floor was usually damp, and this was a potent factor in preventing fire. The speaker showed a number of lantern slides to indicate the effect of the clear-felling of the bush, and its subsequent regeneration. There was no doubt about regeneration m the virgin forests. A survey of seedling growth shewed that regeneration prtrceeded no; raally. In areas felled 18 years ago numerous trees were now growing again. The srrea/t danger in felled 'areas was fir-". When there were repeated fires, and when" cattle got into the area there was little chance ol regeneration. Weeds frequently got a footing in these areas making regeneration naftre difficult. Time was the great factor in regeneration, and it was data regarding this factor that the State Forests Department was anxious t». obtain. This factor was problematical, and it was impossible at present to sa.y what time was necessary for regeneration.