MUSEUM TREE-PLANTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20331, 12 August 1929, Page 12

MUSEUM TREE-PLANTING.

Sir, —My experience with native trees may be of interest in the discussion as to what trees to plant around the new museum. There aro many trees that stand wind very well, and are quick growing and very ornamental. As the site is very exposed, especially on the west and the south-west sides, a hedge of taupata with a row of karaka trees inside it would make a good breakwind. Among the hardier trees are the mahoe, karaka, totara, ti kouka (cabbage palm), ti-kapo (broad leaved palm), manuka (tea-tree), puriri, puka, pukatea, and various varieties of phormium. Others that require a little more shelter aro rewarewa, rimu, hoihere, rniro, kauri, titoki, kowhai, taraire and toro, all of which are beautiful trees and moderately quick growers. In any case, this latter consideration, the speeo of growth, is not of much importance, for five, ten or twenty years is of little consequence in a lasting memorial of this kind. Trees, also, aro beautiful things from the time they are six inches high, "Tui" asks .for information as to what trees to plant to attract those beautiful singers, the tuis. At my place at Kaipara were a number of kowhai and puriri trees, to which tuis flocked in large numbers at the flowering season, from the hills some miles away, to feast on the nectar in tho blooms, and many Remuera residents may remember that, about five years ago, "a number of kakas, probably 15 or 20, came in to the puriri trees'in Mount St. John Avenuo and tho Dilworth Estato when the puriri trees wero in flower. It is not only the grounds immediately surrounding the museum that have to bo considered, but all tho rest of tho Domain, especially that portion between the railway line and the Domain Drive, which is getting to be a jungle of exotic shrubs, principally tho large-leaved (and disagreeable smelling) privet. This is also a well-sheltered spot eminently suited to the moro delicate varieties of New Zealand trees. What can bo accomplished in quito a short time is evidenced by the group of trees (rimu kauri, totara, etc.), in a small gulley near tho entrance from Stanley Street which wero planted by my father, when chairman of the old Domain Board, somewhere about 1875. Totara trees stand (he wind especially well, as I have scon them on a very exposed hillside near Hikurangi growing well and of a shapo symmetrical enough to please even Mr. Pearson. When Waiatarua Park is planted I hope that New Zealand trees will receive proper consideration, and, oven, preference. R. E. Fen ton.

Sir, —I quite that tlio trees planted in tho grounds round the museum should bo of entirely native origin. To encourage tho tui, yellow kowhai and puriri should be grown, as thoso birds livo Qn tho honey of theso two trees. When ono is out of flower, they resort to the other. What is more beautiful than an avenue of nikau palms? When well grown they call to my mind a Gothic church. I do not believe thero is a, more beautiful tree than tho rimu. The ltoihero is also a lovely tree and when in flower is a beautiful sight. Then conio tho whau, or native cork tree, tho totara, rowarewa, tanikaha, and in that deep soil even tho kauri could be grown. Tho Norfolk Island cedar is a lovely tree, both bloom and foliage. In fact when it is in blossom it is like a huge bunch of heliotrope, both in blossom, scent and colour. What tree is nioro hardy and beautiful than our pohutakawa. If so-called gardeners would only leave its roots, thoso that shoot from tho branches, to root again, it makes a banyan-like growth. Thero are many othor trees and climbers that should not bo overlooked. Wo have many varieties of clematis, native passion flower. In fact that hill could bo made a veritable paradise of native flora, not forgetting our various fern trees—if put into understanding hands—but imported or exotic trees would bo quite out of place. Thee Loveh,