PLANTATIONS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19137, 21 October 1927, Page 5

PLANTATIONS.

A COUNTY ASSET Au asset which the Ashburton County Council has cherished for- many years is its plantations, many of which arc well matured. They are located in different parts of the county on'- areas varying in size from a few acres to nearly 100 acres. In some saw-milling operations aro being conducted on a royalty basis with profit to the Council. The idea of planting shelter belts originated with tho early settlers, who quickly realised the benefit of these to rJreak tho strong winds which had an uninterrupted course over tho Canterbury Plains from the hills to the sea. Tho Tirst Tree. The first settler to undertake planting in Ashburton was Mr W. Turton, who put in trees near tho Ashburton traffic bridge in ISG3. It was little imagined then that in a few years the Ashburton district would have such a woalth of forests as there is at present. The work was taken up by the pioneers and shortly after the Ashburton County Council was constituted, 50 years ago, planting was undertaken on a more extensive scale, the first chairman (Mr E. G. Wright) being an enthusiast iu afforestation. Eecords reveal that, the first lots of trees, mostly pinus insignis, were put in by tho County Council in 1881, as shelter belt. on county reserves that were of comparatively little value for cropping or other purposes. , During later years, us the valuo of shelter became moro apparent, the operations were extended until today thei'e are 2000 acres in vigorouslygrowing timber. In addition to this, returns show that there are about 2700 acres in plantation on private property in the county. Iu the last two years 350 acres have been planted, mostly with pinus insignia, some of which replaced others that Were cut out for timber. Some years ago tho mixed varieties of trees were used for planting, but this proved inconvenient for milling as some species reach maturity before others. It bus been found that pinus insignia, being tho quickest grower is the most profitable, ■ although areas planted with bluegum have proved to be equally as valuable; but generally speaking a better class of land is necessary for this variety. The reticulation of the county with electricity has' created a demand for poles, and the best timber in tho gum plantations is being reserved for this purpose. A number of poles Were cut from a plan' tatioli at Ohertsey during the winter. Recognising the worth of plantations more farmers are undertaking planting, unused land in corners of their holdings beingutilised for the purpose. The Milling Industry. At the time when trees were first planted, their ultimate value for timber was not taken into consideration, but the suitability of pinus for fruit box making has brought recognition of their worth. For sovei'al years two sawmills have been engaged in thia work, tho tittiber being cut into the required size and packed iu bundles for transport to tho fruit-growing districts. The most suitable timber has been cut from large plantations at tho Ashburton Porks and Anama, and the mill 9 arc at present engaged at Ruapuiia and on tho Mayfiold-Eangitata road. Some idea of the quantity of timber available may be gained from the fact that in their present location tho mills each have about two years' work-in front of them. The County Council cut 000 cords of firewood and 10,000 stakes from plantations in close proximity to Ashburton during the winter to help relievo unemployment, close upon 50 men being engaged. Pinus is being used for the eradication of areas badly infected with gorse. The trees are planted closo together and the rapidity of their growth is such that the gorse is smothered in the course of a few years. The trees are then thinned out to allow for tho development of the remaining ones into useful timber.