TREE PLANTING IN THE FORDELL DISTRICT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18786, 21 May 1923, Page 3

TREE PLANTING IN THE FORDELL DISTRICT

ADVICE FROM THE OONSERVA TOR OF FORESTS. Considerable interest is now being taken generally in tree planting, and consequently the recommendations or Mr. H. A. Goudie, forwarded to us by our Fordell correspondent which should bo welcomed by all land owners in ihe neighbourhood of Wanganui. Mr. Goudie’s advice concerns arboriculture in the Fordell district, but with slight modifications would be applicable to other localities with a similar climate. Undoubtedly shelter belts and plantations would be more extensively established if farmers wore better acquainted with the varieties of trees suitable for their particular requirements. The expert, information now placed at their disposal, will, it is hoped, remove one of the obstacles in this district to the inauguration of a vigorous tree planting campaign. Mr. Goudie remarks that as a general rule it may be put down that for' rapid growth and elese shelter in the Fordell district, Pinna radiata is the] best tree that can be planted. Spaced! closely in blocks from six to eight feet, apart it will produce timber which has' a high commercial value for many purposes, and is rapidly growing in favour for new uses. Shelter belts and Lreakwinds, one or several lines deep, can be quickly grown, and although the ultimate quality of timber, from these is not so good as from properly spaced plantations, still it is of very considerable value. Should it be desired to produce close, low shelter, the trees may be spaced closer, say six ieet apart, and topped when they reach the desired height, about 15 or 20 feet. A cutting back everv winter will keep a breakwind of this sort green and dense right down to the ground. Pm us radiata, however, should not be planted too near to gardens or houses, as it is a very rank feeder, and its leaves Jitter the ground considerably. Pseudo-tsuga Douglasie or Oregon Pine is another valuable timber tree which can be grown to advantage in the Wanganui District, although in very windy or exposed situations it should be protected by belts of Pinus insignis to secure the best results. It is a rapid grower in any reasonably good land where there is a damp subsoil and fair rainfall. Timber from tins tree is being milled from plantations in the Dominion, and is of ex cellent quality. Very handsome and effective breakwinds and shelter belts can be formed from retaining its foliage right down to the ground when planted in single lines The long, low lateral branches are tough and strong, and cattle do not worry them as thev do many other trees. The timber, which is excellent for milling purposes, is not durable in the ground unless treated with preservatives. It is very useful on a farm for rails, battens, poles and firewix>d. Trees planted in

Rotorua district about 23 years ago are now close on 60 feet high with a spread at the ground of over 30 feet. Sequoia semper virens (Californian Redwood), Pinus ponderosa, P.strobtib, and P.laricio are all valuable timber trees and would do well in your district. They are, however, not what wou.’d be termed good shelter trees unless several lines deep, and are more suitable for timber purposes. Pinus, Muricata, and P.piraster, are both timber trees of considerable value for milling purposes, for box making, etc., although the yield per tree from the latter species is generally small. They both have the advantage that they are very useful for shelter belts ‘or more tender species in coastal districts oi where salt-.’aden winds are prevalent. Pinus pinaster will grow in practically pure sand, and being a very deep rooter, will stand the fiercest salt gales. Cu press us Maerocarpa is in some districts a somewhat disappointing tree, but where it flourishes should be extensively grown. It produces a valuable timber for carpentry, and is very durable in the ground for fencing purposes. It is one of the best shelter trees, and for plantation work should be spaced from four to six feet apart. It is useful also for sea coast planting. Cuprissus Lawsoniana is also a very ’ valuable timber tree and produces the *i well-known Port Oxford cedar of the • I western coast of North America. As ’: an ornamental and shelter tree it cannot be surpassed, and can be used in 'j many ways, either for high breakwiuds, 1 or close cut low hedges. It stands ’ clipping and cutting well, and is about ’ the best tree for sheltering gardens and [ orchards. It is not quite so rapid in, - growth as C.Macrocaipa, but responds I very readily to a little cultivation by L digging round the roots when young. Any of the above species could lie grown on the high plateau on which ' Fordell is situated, while in the shel--5 tered and on the river flats most of ■, the Eucalyptic in our list would flourL ish. For iwle and milling purposes •' E. Eigenioides. E. Muelleriana, E. Bqt- ’ ryoides and E. Saligna be L planted; for milling timber E. Fasui- • , gata, E. Regnans, E. Obliqua and E. ‘ I pilularis are very suitable; while tor > farmers’ use (fencing etc.,) E. Mar- ’ cathuri and E. Viminalis are reco-n- • I mended. l ! All of these could he grown to perfection, and while some of the varieI I ties are somewhat difficult to trails--1! plant, with proper care in handling and ' avoidance of heavy frosts just after ’ putting out, very successful results 5 i can be obtained.