PINE IN NEW ZEALAND.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4922, 6 January 1926, Page 3

PINE IN NEW ZEALAND.

jjL- “RADIATA” AND '“INSIGNIS.” identical tree. New Zealanders have so long been .accustomed to seeing Pinus radiata (commonly known as Pinus insignis in the Dominion) growing in their country that it is. excusable if by some this tree is regarded as an indigenous species, states the *Domink ion:’ From Gape ißeinga, in the cxtreme north, to the Bluff, ■in the southernmost part, thriving specimens may be seen. Large numbers must have been planted hi the early days ", of colonisation for shelter purposes, extremely.’rapid growth giving it Reference over, other species. When a layman speaks of. “pine” he almost ■ invariablymeans Pinus radiata, or if lie gives it a scientific mime he refers to it as “Pinus insignis," a name which will probably never be entirely dropped in favour of the correct/ one. No other imported tree has adapted itself so well. It makes rapid growth, is almost .free from disease, and has < become established as one of the most successful tree introductions into New Zealand. There is, it appears, only one recognised species, known as Pinus ‘ radiata' (Don).' On enquiry at the Forest Service library, which is prothe most extensive forestry library, south of the. line, a Dominion reporter ascertained that this is the . view held by all recognised authorities. ■ ■ In direct contradiction to a recent statement to the/effect that two varieties of the. pine tree in question are recognised by.; thei Kew authorities, reference to the recent works of Mr . W. J. Bean, who writes under the aegis of the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens, where he is a curator, shows that only the one tree, Pinus radiata, is recognised in England. The same view is .upheld by Henry John Elwes, F.R.S.; who is the recognised British authority on this s.ubject. No variety under the name of Pinus hisignus is < 'recognised by either of these authorities.. The American authorities are also in agreement. Sargent, the foremost authority in America, does not even think .the alternative name, Pinus ins.ignis, 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 Sudworth, one of .the most noted American dendrologists,’; and other authorities, while’ recognising that even extreme variations may occasionally occur generally in the North American pines, hold that they are insufficient / to establish varieties.