THE PINE IN NEW ZEALAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1925, Page 3

THE PINE IN NEW ZEALAND.

A DOUBT CLEARED UP. (New Zealanders have -o long been accustomed to seeing l*iinis rndiata (commonly known as I’inus itisignis in the Dominion) growing in their country that it is excusable if by some this tree is regarded as an indigenous species. From Cape iteinga, in the extreme north, to the Bluff, in the soutliermost part, thriving specimens may ho seen. Large numbers must have been planted in the early nays of colonisation for shelter purposes, its extremely rapid growth giving it preference over other species. When a layman speaks of “pine" he almost invariably means Pin us radiata, or if lie gives it a scientific name lie refers to it as “I’inus insignis,” a name which will probably never be entirely dropped in favour of the correct one. No other imputed tree has adapted itself so well. It makes rapid growth, is almost tree from disease, and has become established as one of the lrio-t successful tree introductions int i New Zealand.

There is. it appears, only one recognised species, known as Pin ns radiata (Don). On inquiry at the Forest Service library, which is probably the most extensive forestry library south id the line, a Dominion reporter ascertained that this is Lin* view held by all recognised ant liorii ies. in direct contradiction to a recent statement to the effect that two varieties of the pine tree in guestimi are recognised by the Kew authorities, reference to the recent works of .Mr V . .!. Bean, who writes under the aegis ol the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens, where lie is curator, shows that only the one tree, Pinos radiata. is recognised in England. The same view is upheld by Henry John Klwes, E.R.S.. who is the recognised British authority, on this subject. No variety under the name of Pinos insignis is recognised by either of these authorities.

The American authorities are also in agreement. Sargent, the foremost authority ill America, does not even think the alternative name. Pi it us insignis worthy of mention. Variation in size of cones and other similar phenomena have been advanced as a reason for distinguishing two varieties of the same tree, but Stldworth, one of the most noted American dendrologists, and other authorities, while recognising that even extreme variations may occasionally occur generally id tin* North American pines, hold that they are insufficient to establish varieties.