AFFORESTATION OF SAND DUNES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3986, 20 August 1929, Page 3

AFFORESTATION OF SAND DUNES.

DIFFICULTIES TO BE OVERCOME.

Mr. Duncan Macpherson, conservator of forests, Palmerston N., in a press interview’ concerning afforestation on the sand dune areas between the Rangitikei and Manawatu rivers said there are many difficulties to be confronted if an attempt wms made to plant the area. First of all, the country is at present composed of shifting sand which would have to he stabilised before a tree of any sort could be planted. The best way to tackle the problem would he by means of maram grass and there would be a wait of two years at least for it to get a proper hold. . Secondly, the need of this grass would mean the establishing of nurseries for its propagation. Thirdly, a great portion of the dune land referred to was a quagmire in winter time and quite unsuitable for planting until drained and with the small fall available this was a job of magnitude to accomplish properly. The ground looked very nice in the summertime, but when winter came, there W’as a changed picture.

Again, on certain land sheep could be grazed in the fire brakes and -between the trees after they had reached a certain height, thus returning a small interim revenue. On the sand dunes and adjacent lands, this could not he done, as any interference with the herbage would only set the sand drifting again and the trees would soon be swallowed up. Whether a tree-planting proposition w r as going to be a profitable one or not depended on the capital outlay with compound interest and in country like that proposed to be planted by Mr. Guy, an estimate of costs would be very difficult to frame, but certainly would bo heavy.