FOREST TREES

Hokitika Guardian, 27 December 1928, Page 3

FOREST TREES

RED CEDAR FOR NEW ZEALANDr

SUCCESSFUL PLANTATIONS ON

WEST COAST

Tlit' rod cedar is going to prove a very valuable and popular timber tree in New Zealand, according to experiments in progress at tire Government Korest Experimental Station at ltimu on tiro West Coast.

There, an area of 7000 acres of all types of hush country has been set aside for experimental purposes, and is claiming the attention of Messrs C. 10. Fowerakcr, and F. E. Hutchison, ol the Canterbury College School of Forestry, during the long vacation.

Duriny; the pest month they have been busy with further research into the planting of exotic trees as well as with the growth and management of native forest. The young hush is doing exceptionally well, especially on the well-drained slopes. The American red cedar is outstripping the others, and is well-suited to wet country. , During the summer months the station is in very real danger from fire. There is a lot of fern which becomes very inflammable, and it is only necessary for a spark from a. hush locomotive to catch it, and much valuable research would ho ’ost. The whole area is patrolled by at least two men, and the Department has installed fire-fighting appliances there. GIANT HOIMNf-TA I L. Speaking of the giant horn-tail and the danger to pine forests, Air Foweraker said it was to be found all oven the country, but it had not yet reached tne stage when it was a danger. He had seen it in Hanmer and Burwood plantations, and one had no difficulty in picking it out. Generally it attacked the sickly trees, and'lie had also seen it in posts. Timber was such a valuable asset that any pest which tended to destroy it must not be allowed to go unassailed.