PLANTING TREES FOR TIMBER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20241, 29 April 1929, Page 14

PLANTING TREES FOR TIMBER.

Sir, —As the season is fast approaching for tree planting I beg a little space to advocate tho merits of macrocarpa as n, most useful building and fencing t'ni' her for this country. One of its chief merits is that neither tho huhu grub, nor the little borer wili toucli it. I havo somo firewood stacked under my houso for six years, just rough wood cut out of old trees that wero cleared away to make room for buildings. I can t find a huhu or borer in it. Tho following timbers, all of which tho borer tackled, were stacked with tho macrocarpa: Blue, gum, Japanese oak, puriri, pine, mahoe, Norfolk Island pine, and karaka. In the threo first only the sap wood was affected, the others were riddled. Macrocarpa grows qu'.ckly on suitable sou, and if planted thick makes _ beautiful long straight barrels. Ihe timber is durable, tough and light to handle, and for a light timber very strong. It would not be suitable for butter or fruit boxes on account of its flavour. I have over 50 years' experience with New Zealand timbers, and now our native tices are getting so scarce, and slow to reproduce, I strongly recommend planting macrocarpa. Artiiup. H. Brown.