GROWTH OF TREES

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1929, Page 5

GROWTH OF TREES

PROGRESS AT PUTARURU. Last week-end was spent by a party of members from the Auckland Chamber oif Commerce in an inspection of the nurseries that have been established in the Putaruru district by the N.Z. Perpetual Forests, Ltd. Two ot the blocks visited showed the initial stages of the afforestation scheme and also an area fully planted. Rough, unattractive country, obviously unsuited for agriculture, had been utilised. At Maraetai the party climbed a hill, where at an altitude of MOO feet a tower 60ft in height had been erected for use as a lookout point in connection with fire protection. From this point a remarkable view showing the extent of the tree planting operations was secured. Tlio total area planted embraces 110,000 acres, and by the aid of field-glasses the party had on view no less than 20,000,000 young growing trees. Over 74 miles ot roads inn through the afforestation area, and there are over 200 miles of firebreaks. Chief varieties planted are Douglas fir, redwood, poplars and pines, the last-mentioned predominating. At a mid-day luncheon Mr A. G. Lunn expressed the thanks of members of the Chamber for the opportunity to inspect the large amount of work and the extraordinary development that had taken place. Mr Fraser, a director of N.Z. Perpetual Forests, in reply, stated that they had grown from a small to a large concern, and they welcomed the fullest investigation into the possibilities of afforestation. —Auckland paper.