CARE OF TREES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22779, 15 January 1936, Page 10

CARE OF TREES

INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT AN APPEAL TO NEW ZEALAND (Fbom Ode Own Correspondent) (By Air Mail) LONDON, December 21. When the “Men of the Trees" organised an international exhibition of paintings last year they began a work which may be of world-wide importance. They established friendly relations with kindred bodies in other countries. From that time all publications of mutual interest have been exchanged, and arrangements have been made that members visiting the respective countries should be helped in every possible way, especially by being provided with all information relating to local forestry matters. Actual branches of the Men of the Trees now exist in a number of countries, and there are correspondents in practically every part of the world. There are strong branches in South Africa and East Africa, and in Toronto; and in Australia there is an organisation known as the Tree Lovers’ Guild. New Zealand, which has led the way in many respects in forestry, has some individual members but no branch of the society. Mr Richard St. Barbe Baker, the founder, would like to see a large and active branch in the Dominion. When on his world tour, Mr Baker visited New Zealand, and there he obtained a great deal of inspiration from the Maoris.

“ They know,” he said, “ there is magic in trees, and every tree has a story to explain the origin of its power. Before they cut a tree down, they ask its permission, and then they cover the stump with foliage to protect the inlying spirits from the cold." Mr Baker found a similar respect for the spirit of the trees in East Africa. There, when the natives cut down the forest to make a farm, they leave just one tree to collect the spirits of all the other trees they destroy so that they should not “ wander about and be uneasy.” In New Zealand Mr Baker was especially interested in the Perpetual Forests’ scheme, and in this country he has often explained this system with a view of encouraging the public to plant trees for the nations needs. At the present rate of progress in planting it would take ISO years to make this country safe in _ an emergency. With an enthusiastic society such as the Men of the Trees, however, public opinion should rapidly change. A universal tree .sense will lead to national action, and incidentally a progressive forest policy will provide immediate work for thousands of unemployed. SOCIAL ADVANTAGES.

Mr Baker emphasised the Imperial and social advantages of the society. Other Empire societies had their branches in the Dominion, and when the members crossed the seas they were entertained by their follow-members, but they were not specialists in any pursuit. The Men of the Trees had a common enthusiasm, and members of a branch, for instance, in New Zealand would have all the privileges of the British society when they visited England. They would be provided with the literature which would enable them to seek out the most attractive and historical gardens and woodlands of England and Wales, and they would meet there other members of the Men of the Trees, who would help to make their visit to the Homeland a memorable one. Bv gracious permission of his Majesty the King, the gardens at Sandringham arc open to the public during stated hours every Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from April 20 to the end of September during the absence of the Court. The society has co-operated in the scheme already organised by the Queen's Institute of District Nursing, under which hundreds of private narks and gardens arc open to the public throughout the summer months. The society is now closely in touch with Continental societies. There is the Xederlandscho Heidemaatchappij, now in its forty-seventh year and under royal patronage. This important body has some 30 branches or subdivisions in Holland, and imposing headquarters at Arnhem. In Oslo there is the Norsks Skogselskap. an old and important society in a country which is supremely “ tree conscious.” In Rumania there is the forestry society “ Progresul Siivic.” _ In France there arc a number of societies similar to the Men of the Trees. In Switzerland there is the Ligue Suisse pour la Protection de la Nature, which is responsible for a large number of protected woodlands, lakes, islands, and other areas in all parts of the country. Apart from this. New Zealand has a great trust in her remaining forests and a duty to perform for coming generations, not only of her own land hut for th* generations of the world at large.