PLANTING POWER POLES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5024, 8 September 1926, Page 2

PLANTING POWER POLES

VALLEY BOARD’S SCHEME. THE WAITAKARURU PLANTATION. As a result of his 'recent visit of inspection to the Thames Valley Power Board’s proposed tree-planting reserve at Waitakai'urii the Conservator of State Forests, Rotorua, has submitted the following suggestions :— He understood that the board proposed to establish approximately 10 acres of new planting per annum, commencing this season. As about 100 acres would be required for firebreaks the planting operations would extend over 40 years. It appeared that it would pay to plough and disc the stiff retentive clay two years ahead of planting operations. Twenty acres could be treated this year, and thereafter 10' per annum. The cost would probably be about £2 per acre, but this would be fully compensated by the increased development of tree growth, which, it was considered, would be ejnhanced fully 100 per cent, if adopted. The surface vegetation should be burned off this year. SPECIES. The species recommended in thd meantime was Eve eugenioides (white stringybark) which, it was considered, would give the best results. Later on other species could be introduced, but it would be necessary to carry out experimental plantings before becoming committed to extensive planting. For the purpose of testing suitable varieties the State Forest Siervice would send a collection this seasdn provided the board could have them planted and protected.

It might be possible to establish by direct sowing in selected areas late.r, and this was advised for next season.

It would be advisable; as a preliminary to formulating a forest working plan to have a good contour plan made of the whole area. This would give definite data for deciding on access and extraction reading, fire-breaks, etc.

The forest working plan should be a simple matter, since the board has practically the one object in view, namely, production of poles, and its annual planting being fixed aj:, say, ten acres, gives an annual cut of similar area on a rotation of practically .40 years. Tn this connection it might be advisable to increase the annual planting to I's acres and reduce the rotation period to 27 years. The normal production should be in the vicinity of 4500 poles annually.