FOREST GIANTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 74, 18 June 1927, Page 16

FOREST GIANTS

USED AS ORNAMENTS The greater number of people when selecting ornamental trees for large gardens pass over our own native trees. The idea seems to have jfixed itself into their minds that New Zealand trees are too big for private gardens. This may be so, but it takes many years before some of the most handsome of our native trees would be too big for ordinary gardens. “We are—the trees • Our dark and leafy glade j Bands the bright earth with softer mysteries.” —Miss Colbourne-Veel.

The Dominion of New Zealand consists of the North, South and Stewart Islands, with a total area of 302,912 square miles. With the exception of a few types of trees confined to the Northern warm climate, the same timber trees are to be found generally throughout the three islands, and most of the formation is of sub-tropical characteristics. The timber trees and shrubs in general are evergreens, intermixed with nikau palms, tree ferns and filmy ferns. The Kauri (Agathis Australis): Kauri trees are specially adapted to Auckland climate. They require the warm sub-tropical atmosphere and are easily grown. Young plants can be obtained from any of the leading nurserymen. The kauri is the largest tree in the New Zealand forests, a lofty specimen with straight columnar trunk and rounded bushy head. It attains a maximum height of 140 feet, a diameter of 22 feet. It is one of the most magnificent timbers known with erect clean stems rising to a height of 60 feet without throwing a branch. The whole tree is extremely resinous and often masses of Kauri gum are to be seen in the forked branches. The kauri grows only in a limited area of New Zealand, mostly in the warm Auckland province to the north of 38 degrees south latitude. It is very slow in growth and so can be planted in private gardens without fear of overcrowding. Rimu or Red Pine (Dacrydium cupressinum): Rimu is a tree that should be in every Auckland garden. It is comparatively quick growing and very ornamental plants can be obtained in plots about 18 to 24 inches high. This species forms the principal timber tree of New Zealand forests and provides at least half of the sawmilling production. The trees vary in height, and grow in soil from sea level to 2,500 feet. Rimu is one of the most beautiful specimens to be seen in New Zealand flora. It has pale yellowish green drooping branches and differs from any others/orest tree. “The leaves are only small prickles running up a long stem from which branch out other small stems whose united weight cause the main stem to hang like the branches of the weeping willows.” When the plants are young the foliage has the appearance of trailing locypodium. The timber is beautifully marked and used largely in New Zealand for doormaking, etc. This tree can be planted in any situation. Totara (Podocarpus Totara): Totara is another of our useful New Zealand timber trees which often attain a height of 100 feet. This tree occurs throughout the Dominion. The wood is very durable and is often used for sleepers, wharf piles, telegraph posts, and exposed joinery work. When first cut the timber is of a reddish colour seasoning to a reddish brown. Maoris often used this tree for canoe making, hollowing out canoes from 50 to 80 feet long: from single logs. The leaves are stiff and narrow with sharp needle points. The bark often hangs in thin papery strips round the trunk. The foliage is of a brownish green hue. AZALEAS THEIR CULTIVATION The Azaleas tree may be - planted during June and July. Early planting is advisable before the shrubs begin to flower. • This remarkably showy plant is certainly deserving of more widespread popularity, and should be availed of to a greater extent by the home gardener. The species embrace many varieties, all more or less adapted for ornamenting the home garden plot, provided favourable aspect and good soil conditions are available. For growing in the open ground the plant requires a shady or partially shady position, and prefers a rich, well-dug. loose soil.

There are many beautiful colourings incorporated in this glorious garden gem, including magenta, purple, pink rose, apricot, white, scarlet, etc. When making your choice endeavour to select shapely. well-furnished specimens. These will build up to good evenlybalanced specimens quicker and more readily than straggling ill-shapen plants. Endeavour to embody a good selection of colour in your collection. They should not be planted closer than three feet apart. Dig a hole about eighteen inches to two feet deep, and make provision for drainage by placing a quantity of rubble at the bottom of each hole. Before filling in, mix some well-rotted dairy manure, together with a good handful of bone dust, with the soil. Now fill in and compress the soil firmly with your feet. Make a hole in the prepared patch sufficiently large enough to accommodate the shaped mass of earth which clings to the roots Build up the earth round the stem, stamping it firmly as the operation proceeds. Complete the planting with a copious watering. The after-care of the azalea is extremely simple. Apart from plenty of water in the dry summer months, all the attention required is an annual application of well-rotted stable manure forked lightly round the plant durine the early spring months.

For pot specimens, azaleas are unrivalled. Treated in this manner they are also most serviceable and adaptable for verandah and table adornment. For the later purpose the effect produced by a nicely furnished, wellgrown plant wholly eclipses a display of cut flowers and lasts considerably longer. Should you be fortunate enough to possess several varieties, the colours should be changed about from day to day.