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Otago Daily Times, Issue 19903, 24 September 1926, Page 2

CORPORATION TREE PLANTING, ru run EOITOB. Sin,—A movement appears to be afoot at the present time to induce the City Council fo embark on a further extensive scheme of afforestation, glowing reports being published of the revenue to be derived from the plantations in the course of generation or so. The remarks of Cr Begg, however, at a recent meeting of the City Council throw a different light on the matter, and are certainly disquieting to anyone who is personally acquainted with him, and knows that he is tho most unlikely to indulge in anything of an alarmist nature. Having my curiosity aroused by the discussion, as published in vqur paper, I spent two pleasant wi©ek ends in exploring the plantations of the Leith Valley and Whare Flat to ascertain for myself the true state of affairs. The result of my wanderings has been that my previous opinion of these plantations, formed from the laudatorv accounts published from time to time of their great potential value to the city, has received something of a setback. Around Ross Creek reservoir and up the Leith Valley there are large areas of trees which, to my mind, are very promising. But there are other equally large areas, particularly near the Leith Valley reservoir, which I cannot in all fairness call anything but a failure, and I wondered that all of one particular kind of tree had not been dug up so that something more suitable might be planted. Following up a small stream which empties into tho Leith, I came to a plantation of what I took to be fir tree?. These had grown to a height of 50ft or 60ft, but what their value is as timber would bo difficult to determine, I sjiould say from what I saw that it would be very small indeed. The trunks are bent ana twisted in all directions, and -many of the trees are uprooted, their roots appearing to have ho hold on the ground. Some of tlie frees have been cut into lengths and split, but the trunks have not, a length anywhere of more than 2ft or 3ft without a mass of knots. From what I saw I can quite understand the remark of Mr Begg that the timber was of no use even for firewood. I would not like to have the job of splitting it into kindling wood. Of course these many only he some of (he failures which might be expected while the planting was in its early stages, and to a certain extent of an experimental nature, and, as I have nlreadv said, there are some large areas which to my mind look verv promising. The matter is. I think, sufficiently serious to warrant a thorough investigation before the ratepayers arc committed ( n anv further expenditure of an extensive nature, and Cr Begg is to be commended for drawing public attention to it.—l am. etc.. Nop.Tit-F.NPEn. North-East Valiev, Pentemher 22.