TWO WELL-KNOWN TREES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 14699, 2 September 1915, Page 8

TWO WELL-KNOWN TREES.

USEFUL' FOR SETTLERS’ ' PLANTING. In the course of an article on treeplahting for fanners, in the current issue of the N.Z. Journal of Agriculture, Mr. Tasman Smith, writing from his own experience in Canterbury, has the follow-, mg- to say about two well-known trees, vir;—pinus insignia (radiata), and ctipressns macrocarpa:—

Finns radiata, or insiguis (monterey pine)-Is* a native ,of California and adjacent islands, and is a valuable tree in many respects. It will grow and thrive in most soils and aspects up to au altitude, of 1200 feet to 1300 feet. (Xot^—These figures are probably meant, for Canterbury.) For making quick shelter it has no rival, and no other tree cab equal it for growth, established individual trees on a free sub-soil making 6ft. of growth in a season. . . The adaptability of this tree to ail soils, and its rapid growth destines it to play a great, if not the greatest part in our future timber production. Large quantities of its timber are being Used to-day for building, box wood, and fuel. During the past few years, pinns radiata has taken the place of matai and rimu for all pur[H)ses except homing in the construction of many residences throughout Canterbury. In 1013, two million feet of this timber was used in Christchurch for Dox-niakiug alone. The Mackenzie Comity Council recently milled 70,000 feet of timber Irom three-quarters of an acre of 3U year old radiata plantations, and sold it at a price that returned ill per thou--aiui over cost of milling.

(Note.—Tuts represents a return of £93 l'-r acre fur 30 year,', or over ,13 per acre per year.)

Ciiprc-'ii- macrocarpa is also a native i California, Gut is only found there in very small area', and is said to be dying • mt. Macrocarpa will never die out in foreign land.-, lor the more we learn of its, food qualities, the more it will be cultivated. .For quick production of

fencing material, stakes, posts of all kinds, -trainers, stags, etc., we have no Tee to equal it. I have removed macroearpa [>osts, 9 inches in diameter, after i 4 years in the ground, and found the mart wood, ’noth of trunks and limbs, ■erft-ctly .sound, and as hard as black due or any of our native beeches (birch;, the best method of planting cupressus iiacrocar|iU i- first- to cultivate the laud, if possible, in order to preserve the mois•ure. Riant in early autumn, so that he soil may become well set about the loots before the advent of the spring

• Jiids which so i (ten loosen the young trees, admitting air and heal to the rootlets—death following if the season is moderately dry. Riant in blocks, 4ft. or sft. apart, which will cause them to run up as long straight poles with small Uamlif-, After ten years, every second tree may he cut out for fencing stakes, -tags, rails, etc., when the remainder will thicken into heavy posts for permanent Turing. Tho waste timber makes first- ■ lass firewood. 1 might mention that I nave -plit and used (finches by 3 inches uacrr.carpa rails in 'a .stock yard for l(i ears, ami they show no sign of decay.