TREE PLANTING

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21184, 6 August 1940, Page 7

TREE PLANTING

ARBOR DAY HINTS SUITABLE NATIVE SHRUBS NOTES ON PLANTING Arbor Day will be celebrated tomorrow when numerous schools in the district will plant trees in their own grounds. The following notes on tree planting will be of value this planting season:—• (1) If unable to plant trees on arrival open the bundles, cover roots with soil and moisten well. Take great care that the wind does not get at the roots. Do not moisten foliage of plants when tied in bundles or packed closely. (2) Have the holes prepared well ahead; make them about 2ft. deep and 2ft wide; and fill with good soil —the depth to which the hole is filled with soil will depend on the root system of the plant. Spread the roots to a natural position, work fine soil round them and then tramp firmly, taking care not to damage the roots or the stem in doing so. If dry, water well, and then fill up the hole with loose soil—leave the soil slightly mounded rather than hollow. (3) Care should be taken when planting to make sure that the roots are not exposed to wind or sun; keep them covered with a damp sack or dip them in muddy water until the actual planting operation. Do not plant on a windy day. Take care that manure does not touch bare roots. Well decayed leaf mould or compost is best for natives. (4) Protect specimens from wind and sun until they become established; a sack and three sticks make a satisfactory temporary shelter. If necessary, water during the first week or so. (5) Make sure that the plantation is well protected from stock. (6) Get the plants in this month if possible. (7) Attend to the plantation throughout the year; make every day an Arbor Day if necessary. (8) It is sometimes advisable to make a scattered planting of quick growing shrubs in advance, to act as nurse trees—say at distances of about 10ft. apart—suitable specimens would be: Houhere, koromiko, mako mako, harakeke, karamu, rangiora, ake ake karo, ngaio; or exotics such as tagasaste (commonly called tree lucerne). Varieties of Trees Specimens that might reasonably be expected to make a good showing in the open in say five years’ time:—Totara, karo, ake ake, kohuhu, ngaio, rewarewa, poroporo, tainui, akiraho, ake piro, tanekaha, ti kouka, ti ngahere, horoeka, mahoe, heketara, kowhai, houhere, mako mako, karamu, koromiko, rangiora, manuka, tarata, kotukutuku, mapou, kaiwaka. Specimens that do reasonably well on even poor clay soils, when the plants receive little care or attention:—Ake ake, ake piro, tanekaha, kohuhu, horoeka, tainui, karamu, houhere, koromiko, manuka, rewa rewa, mapou, harakeke, tawhero, totara, brooms, coprosmas, ngaio, ti kouka, kauri.

Specimens that grow well in shady positions:—Mako mako, hange hange, beeches, rama rama, rimu, pukatea, whauwhaupaku, putaputa weta, rangiora, titoki, tainui, mahoe, miro, hinau, horoeka, karamu, korimiko, kahikatea, poro kaiwhiri. Specimens for exposed, windy positions: Horoeka, tanekaha, matai, karamu, rangiora, mapou, tainui, karo, ake ake.

Specimens for damp positions::— Kowhai, kahikatea, pate, kawa kawa, pukatea, putaputa weta, rama rama, hara keke, ti kouka, poro kaiwhiri, 1 mapou, kohuhu, beeches, mako mako, whauwhaupaku, nikau. Suitable For Hedges Natives suitable for hedges:— Kohuhu, karo, tarata, akiraho (golden ake ake), totara, taupata (especially for coast), ngaio (especially for coastal areas); and the following are sometimes used: Rangiora (quick growing—for windy situations), ti kouka (makes an excellent hardy windbreak), ake ake (for poor ground), papaumu (broadleaf —very hardy), houhere (a quick-growing windbreak), manuka, hebes (koromikos), (very hardy for low hedges). Berry-producing trees and shrubs: —Kotukutuku, mahoe, mako mako, coprosmas, horopito, mapou, poro kaiwhiri, rama rama, tawa, karaka (Hamilton is about the southern limit), puriri (north of Hamilton—• except on coast), hinau, kohia, kahikatea, miro, matai, kareao, maire, titoki (Hamilton is about southern inland limit). Trees and shrubs with pretty flowers:—Kowhai, kara beak (kowhai—ngutu—kaka), houhere, rewa rewa, hebes (koromikos), kotukutuku, tawhero. manuka, kanuka, broom, kumarahou, senecios. Canopy trees —for shade:—Tarata, kohuhu, karo, karaka (especially in coastal districts, away from frost), puriri (especially in coastal districts, away from frost), totara, mangeao half hardy should survive ordinary frosts), miro, tawa, titoki.