“PLANT A TREE”

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 255, 22 July 1921, Page 7

“PLANT A TREE”

ACTIVITY IN CITY RESERVES AND GARDENS.

Those aro busy days for the director of reserves ' (Mr. J. M'Kenzie). Between Julv 1 and the end of August he has to supervise practically the whole of the civic tree-planting for the year, and Wellington, with its far-flung boundaries and many reserves, has a considerable area requiring skilled attention. It is also the time for other people to act in concert with the City Council, and plant a tree for beauty’s sake if they have the space for it. Some thousands of trees are to be planted this year by the City Connell. Mr. M'Kenzie is about to have 2060 trees planted in that small seaside reseiu-e or rest park, opposite the Hataitai bathing shed in Evans Bay. The reserve extends irregularly from the Evans Bay Road up to the lower levels of Hataitai proper, and when tho trees grow a charming grove will form a vernal background to the terraced sward below, whore it is /intended to placo some of the Newton neats. The pines in section 48 (above the western end of Ghuznee Street) are growing well. They now make a fine showing from the city, relieving altogether the hillside bareness of a few years ago. The growth of some of these trees is such that residents near the reserve are beginning to complain that their view of the harbour is threatened with extinction. Whilst beautiful trees m a public reserve cannot be destroyed to please individuals. it is probable that a little lopping will be done this year on such trees, as aro complained of. A big job ahead is the planting oi 6660 pinus muricata and pinus trees on the new reserve at Khandallah. At present this nren, which extends to tho ion of the ridge, is rough with brack, en nnd scrub. When planted it jvill make a fine forest reserve in a picturesque position. , The guards for the Norfolk Island nines that are to be planted m Oriental Bav are alreadv in position, and the soil beds have been laid. As soon ns the soil selfies thoroughly the trees will be planted—either nt the end of tho month or onrlv in August. Conditions nre now highly favourable for planting generally.