THE BARE HILLS ABOUT WELLINGTON

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 205, 25 May 1921, Page 6

THE BARE HILLS ABOUT WELLINGTON

NEED FOR COVERING OF TREES

VARIETIES THAT CAN BE GROWN EASILY

The bareness of the Wellington hills, and the possibility of remedying this by extensive tree-planting, was referred to by the organiser of the New Zealand Forestry League, Mr. Will Lawson, in conversation with a Dominion reporter. With the exception of the hills of Miramar Peninsula, the Wellington hills were heavily bushed when the first settlers arrived. For various reasons—and often without roasqn—practically the whole of this bush was cleared. This happened so long ago that it has become almost a belief that Wellington is too windy for the successful growing of trees.

"While this is douotleso true as regards native trees, except where planted on sheltered slopes or in gullies,” Mr.

Lawson said, "it is quite a fallacy concerning timber trees from other countries, usually called exotics, and both native and exotic shrubs. The plantation on the slopes of tho Tinakori Hills, below the wireless station, includes a

large number of Australian and American trees, most of which are doing well. With the slightest amount of shelter, such as that provided by pinus insignis trees planted near by, the native trees are

doing well also; and that portion of the Wellington hills is already taking on a more natural appearance. "The main object of tbe Forestry League is to educate the people to safeguard and' increase the timber supplies of tho Dominion. While ornamental and shelter trees would vastly improve the appearance and increase the comfort of travelling over the roads about the city, the planting of timber trees produced just as ornamental an effect and is highly profitable. It is- a rather remarkable fact that trees from the north-west of America do well in New Zealand, while almost identical trees from the north-

west of Europe do not thrive so well. Again, gum trees from Tasmania and the south-east of Australia do well, but those from West Australia do not thrive except in sheltered places, and with special attention. The Wellington hills, it appears, are not a good place to grow gums. There is too much sea-spray, and only a few species do well. The blue gum is not one of these. "I had an interesting talk with Mr. M'Kenzie, director of parks and reserves in Wellington From this I gathered that one or two hardy gums, all the acacias, or wattles, the pinus insignis (lately renamed pinus radiata) and the maerocarpa are the best timber fiees to plant in the neighbourhood of Wellington, where there is very little depfiK of good soil, and usually a dry Condition prevails in the ground. The wattles are particularly rapid growers. All are excellent for firewood, and the wood of some species is much used in cabinetmaking. The steamers trading about Tasmania, where the wattle grows to a height of over 150 feet, had frequently handsome fittings of blackwood or wattle.

"What is wanted in Wellington is a desire on the part of the people to see their harbour hills look more beautiful. When '■his beauty can be combined with a profitable enterprise, they would be doubly paid if they set to Work to bring the change about. The Forestry League and the State Forest Service are ready to help, and timber trees can be procured from both Government and private growers at a cost of a few shillings ner hundred, .with substantial reductions in price for larger quantities. One of the best provisions a man can make for his old age is to plant a few acres of timber trees. In twenty years he will begin to reap a substantial and permanent profit.”