TREE PLANTING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20183, 27 June 1928, Page 9

TREE PLANTING

WANGANUI’S RESERVES AN EXTENSIVE WORK. At this time of the year many <»f the trees stand stark and leafless. Most of those of tho flowering variety have shed their blooms, and even tho beautiful tints of autumn have practically passed away. The changing year presents, however, a varying picture which uniformly pleases and even in the depth of winter there is mujh to bo observed in the woods. The city of Wanganui is fortunate in having large tree planting areas. A visitor, in fact, cannot fail to be impressed by the excellent provision made by the civic authorities in this respect. The extent of the city's parks, nurseries and open, spaces generally is such as .o compare more than favourably with other important centres in the Dominion. Altogether there are 250 acres under the Council’s jurisdiction. Supervision of the parks and the work of afforestation on the tree plant ing areas is in the hands of Mr Tucker and a “Chronicle” reporter who sought him out found him very willing to talk on his favourite topic of trees, in which he is well versed after a study of some 40 years. Mr Tucker took the Pressman out to the Hilton quarry. Here, 13 years ago, Mr Tucker planted 40,000 trees, some pine, but mostly eucalypts. The results are now to be seen in the forest of treetrunks which rear up straight and tall on the slopes running back from the quarry. Flourishing Oregon. Not far from the quarry is tho Ma- ’ tipo plantation, and here Mr Tucker I pointed out a promising forest of 66,1 ! 000 trees planted in the valleys about 14 years ago. It comprised pinus insignus and Oregon, and in respect of the latter tree the suitability of the soil for its propagation was shown by the fact that in some years the rate of growth was 24 inches. Of the <B2 acres at Matipo 20 remain to be plant ed. About three years ago a fire broke out at this spot, but once the trees are established there will not be . much fear of damage in this respect, i The nursery beneath the slopes of St. | John’s Hilt was then visited and there plants destined to become giants of the forests were to be seen in brush j or glass houses or the open air, aej cording to the conditions required 1 for their successful rearing. Rhododendrons, the scarlet flowering fuifolia, five or six varieties of acacia, waratahs and pobutukawas, the beautiful flowering trees so much a feature »f ■ more northern shores, were to be seen ; in abundance. Then again there were [ conifers, piseas, kauris, totaras, rimu * and many others, native and imported,

all manifesting signs of a healthy growth. The Hardy Tainui. The next stage in the tour of inspection was Virginia Lake—a beautiful stretch of water surrounded by a no less beautiful stretch of park land, which makes it difficult to believe that about 16 years ago the locality was a wilderness of gorse and lupin. Now the eye rests on a pleasing scene of grassy slopes, well clothed with trees, while the car is charmed with the note of the tui or the cry of the mocking bird. Amongst the many varieties of trees the tainui was pointed out. This tree has an interesting history. It was only found near Kawhia, the legendary landing place of the Tainui canoe, the “pilgrim ship’ ’of the Waikato Maoris when tliey made their historic journey across the ocean to New Zealand. The story goes that on arrival at Kawhia the Maoris threw away the baskets which had contained their food. These baskets were made of twigs of the tainui and when thrown down they struck root and flourished. Another interesting feature of th a Virginia Lake reserve was the beech which was to be seen growing at the water’s edge. It has been said that tho beech family will grow only on the ridges but this is not borne out by the healthy appearance of thu black beech to bo seen near the edge of the lake. Of the City Council’s other reserves there is Lake Westmere, another lino [stretch of water, with some 18,000 i trees planted on its banks. At the re- ; servoir reserve there are also 8000 macrocarpa which appear to be doing well in the sandy soil. Tn late years, when these trees and others planted in the various reserves are grown tc maturity, the Council should enjoy the full benefit ot their afforestatiin work, both from tho utilitarian point of view and that of beautifying tho city and its environs.