BRITISH OAKS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16583, 16 November 1921, Page 4

BRITISH OAKS.

DISEASED TREES INSPECTED. BOARD. In consequence of attention having recently been directed to the large number of diseased and dying oak trees in tho reserves controlled by the Christchurch Domains Board, a visit of inspection of the affected trees was made yesterday afternoon by a number of members of the board. Those present were:—Messrs G. Harper (chairman of the board), H. J. Beswick. James Jamieson, S. A. Orchard, M’Gregor B. Wright and J. E. Scott. The party first inspected a badlyaffected tree in Rolleston Avenue, between the Museum and the entrance to Christ’s College, this tree having been planted fifty-seven years ago in the original lay-out of the avenue. A brief informal discussion was held regarding means of dealing with -the trouble, the curator (Mr James Young) suggesting that the only way seemed to be to cut out the bad pieces and to allow the roots of the tree to get more water. The party then motored along Rolleston Avenue to the Armagh Street entrance of Haglev Park, and proceeded through the park to Riccarton Road, and along the West Belt and Park Terrace back tp the entrance to the Gardens. On the West Belt were noticed scores of oaks which were badly affected with disease, some having practically no foliage, while others in close proximity did not appear to be affected in the slightest. The explanation offered by Mr Young for the diseased condition of the trees was that the climate of Christchurch was unsuitable for British oaks. The roots of the trees were unable to get sufficient moisture to satisfy them. It had been found that the British oak would thrive in places w’here it was able to get plenty of moisture, but not in other drier places, more particularly where the soil was of a sandy nature, as was the case in Haglev Park. Several suggestions for dealing with the trouble £ia\ r e been advanced, but the general opinion is that as the British oak does not appear to be a suitable tree for planting in Christchurch the best alternative would be to plant the Turkey oak, which does better. The members of the party expressed their surprise at the large number of trees affected, and the matter will be discussed fully at a future meeting of the Domains Board. After the inspection of the oaks, the party, under the guidance of Mr Young, motored through the Gardens and were shown the improvements which have recently been carried out, much of the new work being arranged to relieve the unemployment difficulty and financed by the Unemployment Committee.