SHELTER TREES FOR CATTLE-

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1344, 18 August 1883, Page 4

SHELTER TREES FOR CATTLE-

We are indebted to the Wanganui Yoeman for the following remarks, which are singularly applicable to our coastal districts, upon that great desideratum, a growing shelter for depasturing animals : —“ A rapid-growing shelter tree is much wanted on the coast, especially in the northern districts, where bleak winds frequently prevail. The blue gum may answer the purpose so far as rapidity of growth is concerned, but it is inferior shelter, the lower portion of the trunk becoming after a time entirely destitute of branches. The macrocarpa ie a magnificent shelter tree, but not of sufficiently fast growth to provide the immediate shelter which is wanted. The pinus inaignis is becoming a favorite tree for our plantations, but it has not sufficient stamina for some years to resist the heavy gales, although it ie a rapid grower. The spotted gum is a tree little known, but it is likely to become the tree of the future for shelter. It is already high in favor in Auckland, and grows quickly and tenaciously, although its roots have not that exhausting power on the soil which characterises the blue gum ; and it has this great advantage that it provides shelter from the ground upwards, its branches not being deciduous as in the case of other gums. Mr Fantham has, we understand, seen it growing in the northern districts, and intends planting it out largely this season for sheltering his farm at Hawera.