Tree Planting in Otago.

Otago Witness, Issue 1852, 20 May 1887, Page 11

Tree Planting in Otago.

Editor Witness,— " Arborca," in letter of date 29th ulfc., could not have observed the tabular statement drawn up last year (1886) of trees above 12 years of age, grown in and around the neighbourhood of Dunedin, the circumference of which has been taken at one foot irom the ground surface and at 12ft high, and nuting the growths of which helped to strengthen my opinion in estimating the probable returns. There has probably been, as "Arborea" says, no suggestion yet thrown out that would yield a more certain return for money expended than the enclosing and planting of those portions of Otago which, from various causes, are at present almost valueless. In giving the annual growth of some trees, I took special care to be under rather than over the mark in this measurement, as some of them were grown singly, and in consequence assumed more the nature of shrubs than trees grown in a forest, which spring up more erect and yield better timber. As to the kinds of deciduous trees I would recommend for planting in this province, which is specially adapted for this claas as regards soil (see Dr Hector's geological map), I should say oak, ash, elm, sycamore, and birch as hard woods ; spruce lir, especially as v. conifer; and poplar— say, Balsam poplar — for settlement and plantation boundaries, all of which require constant attention from the seedling age upward, so as to get a bole or trunk of any value. The oak, ash, elm, and sycamore command a ready market, while birch is ako largely used. On an estate purchased some years ago in Rosshire, Scotland, where common birch had beenthe only timber on the ground, the purchaser repaid the cost of cultivation by converting it into bobbins or reels which had been purchased by Messrs Clark and Coats, of Paisley, a new industry to not a few in that neighbourhood, and for wh'ch purpose timber will bo wanted shortly in Dunedin. The Balsam, poplar, from its rapid growth, can be utilised in five years for fencing posts, with the recommendation in its iavour that hors s and cattle are not fond of it. The indigenous trees will not keep pace with the imported, commercially estimated, and here the imported will Ultimately excel the home-grown, being harder and heavier on account of their rapid growth. A feature in favour of deciduous trees in contradistinction to evergreens is that they withstand wind or gales better, as many of them 'shed their leaves on the approach of winter. It cannot have escaped the notice of those interested in arboriculture that in planting trees of any kind the aspect (specially in Otago) with due regard to the configuration of the country has to be considered as the sudden transition from heat to cold is as fatal to the growth of trees as severe frosts are in the Home Country, so that considerable caution is necessary in gradually inuring them from shade to sunshine. This is observable o>i all the surrounding hills, many of which it would be unwise to plant without surrounding by a belt of evergreens, which would act as a nurse for those at a higher altitude. The views of Mr Brown, author of " The Forester," though by some considered primitive, are borne out by experience so far that even the angle of elevation from a raised turf fence is traceable within the plantation for a considerable distauce. therefore the shelter afforded by this apparently small protection of say from 3ft to 3ft Gin hi^h has often given a start to trees which otherwise m<ght not have succeeded. I know these views are ignored by many ; nevertheless, they are ' rue in practice. On account of the rapid growth irees make in Otago additional care and attention is absolutely Decessary. On the 26th November last the offect of a dry, hot, scorching wind was to retard the growth of lime trees by 3in (these trees, by the way, are usually the first to suffer from frost in the Home country). Laurel and spruce, with a northern aspect, were also similarly affected. This result was, however, confined to under an altitude of 100 ft above sea level and within two miles of the sea coast. Hardwooded plants, in short, appear to assume a herbaceous nature. In computing returns, I may mention that 40 years' rent was assumed as the datum on which calculations were based, and this period would produce heavy timber, especially in the case of varieties of the eucalypti. As to the annual growths of the trees given, they were medium and the soil in most cases too damp to yield good timber without drainage— the ordinary bush land being equal, if not superior, to that in which they were grown, The spongioles suffered after passing the depth of 15in, Californian pines showing unmistakable signs of decay from the pith outwards. The early maturity of transplanted forests compared with natural (grown timber) is well known, and taken, advantage of by the trade. Though the latter timber is superior to the former, yet there is no corresponding money value. Many of the nurserymen, anticipa- ing the demand that would arise for forest trees prior to the passing of the recent act, have provided stock at prices that will bear comparison with the Home Country, a fact which marks the present a 9 most opportune for enclosing and planting on ne ordinary scale. — Yours truly,

John M'Bbak.

Strange Instjbbordination.— Who has not experienced a sort of malady when all the faculties seem in rebellion, and labour is absolutely impossible ? It is a condition of nerves and stomach and brain that can only be cured by the use of that irresistible remedy American Co.'a Hop Bittebs. — Bead.— [Advt.]