TREES FOR FARMERS

Waipa Post, Volume 32, Issue 1782, 13 July 1926, Page 6

TREES FOR FARMERS

THE KIND TO GROW.

Now w« come to the kinds of trees to he used for planting on the farm (said Mr E. Maxwell during a lecture on tree planting at the instruction course conducted at New Plymouth). For exposed situations there are maritima, niuricata, macrocarpa, and, insignis in th'e order given, starting with the most exposed position. Maritima is a poor ‘tree 1 , except as an excellent support, because of its sparse growth, for such hedges as mentioned. I think that its only value. Muricata is very hard and dense-growing, and naturally retains the lower growth, and does not take up very much room or grow to excessive height, hut is of little value as timber. Macrocarpa is fairly in growth, produces fair fuel and excellent fencing. After twenty years of age the limb wood is more durable than the trunk wood. It is inclined to heart rot. The timber is strong, and, extremely light when dry. Its general use for shelter and for production of small wood not for milling. Insignig as you know, is of exceedingly rapid growth, almost if not quite ithe most rapid-growing tree in the world!, and certainly the most rapid pine. It is and will grow well in almost any soil or situation except over-wet soil It gives very .early shelter, and continues to give complete shelter if not neglected. The wood makes fair fuel, and the best of case timber. It is ithe earliest-maturing pin'e by far, and timber from trees, say, 26 years of age and over, if grown under forest conditions, is excellent, durable building material, much superior to the immature rimu timber now being sold as ordinary building. VALUE OF WATTLE AND GUMS. Now, to turn from shelter or combined shelter and timber trees to the kinds of frees suitable for planting round the homestead or in the “ farm wood! lot,” which may be raised in any odd waste or side way, corner, gully, or steep hill face, or in-continuation of a shelter belt. I place the black wattle as the ideal farmers’ tree. It is hardy, easily raised, gets right beyond the weeds the -first season, and grows exceedingly rapidly. It will grow from 30 to 50 feet in height and six to 10 inches in diameter in seven, years. The wood as fencing will last about a year to each year of its age—■if seven years old it will last about seven years; if ten years, it will last nine to twelve years. It can be placed in the ground with the bark on immediately it i s cut. The wood is very strong, and is hard and dense right out to’ the bark. It will answer as poles for many purposes, including shafts and poles for farm implements'. As firewood it cannot be surpassed: it is clear-burning, and a great heatproducer.

Then come many of the gums. The choice so mnch depends on the climate and the situation that I will only mention a few which are lhardy and net oveii-'particular as !to situation and soil, and which are rapid growing and get away from the weeds quickly. They are: Eucalyptus Fastigata, ®. obliqua (.the stringybark), E. Ovata, E amygdalina (narrow-leafed one), E. Gigantea, and' E. Botr.yodies. The following are a few which are good and rapid where the locations and conditions suit them: E. Viminalis, Macarthuri, Siberiana, and E. 'Saligna. The last is less hardy, but is an excellent grower.