THE VALUE OF TREES ON FARMS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 125, 12 June 1937, Page 19

THE VALUE OF TREES ON FARMS

Mr C. H. Williams's Address To Farmers PREVENTING EROSION Tko waste of forests in the past, tvhiclr he de&cribed as criminal, and the destruction of the best millable timber . that was still taking place in millable country was deplored by Mr. C. H. Williams, of Gisborne, when addressing the annual conferenee of sheepfarmers at Massey College on the value of trees on the farm. The speaker urged that the remaining forests in New Zealand. which were a tremendous asset. should not be permitted to further deteriorate. Tlic public opimon that wais growing up in 'the Dominion to preserve that what remained wa« deserving of all the fosterIng that sheepfarmers could accord to it Qontrol of riooas. The' existence of foresxs areas, he said, was vital in the control of floods. The serious consequences as tho' result of the denuding of forests were already being realised cn the problems of flood control in many of the rivers in New ZeaJand. Millions of trees had been destroyed to make room for grass in difScult country which would remain very costly to farm. The cost for similar destruction was being paid for very dearlv by othet countries. "The asthetic aspeet is by no means I:egligible,,, said Mr Williams. "If every settler would do his share to beautify his homo -in a short time a bloak area would be transforined into an attractive countryside. Those who can plant exotic trees have a wide range from which to make a selection. For • beautifu! autumn colourings we carinot forget the English trees, such as the scarlet oak, the •chestnut or the elm." .... The Temple Tree. The cryptomeria Japonica — the timber tree oi Japan, explained Mr. Williams, was as durable as any timber. lt had been used in the old temples bi Japan 'for hundreds of yoars and Was still dn a tkoroughly sound condition. Flantings had' talcen place of this tree .up the Main Trunk and there was every Teason that it would flourish there. Ita ease in growing and its ability to witlxstand dense shade were epeoial features. It, was also valuable "for planting among other trees and for replacing gaps in plantations. | Mr. Williams urged the planting of i all available spaces with suitable types of trees. This would create an asset that would have a national importance. The experiences of other countries who had destroyed their wealth in trees, ho hoped would be a lesson for the New Zealand farmer which would not go unheeded.