TREE PLANTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 July 1938, Page 9

TREE PLANTING

POLICY OF MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD. CONDITIONS LAID DOWN. (“Times-Age” Special.) “The question of tree planting on main highways for beautifying purposes was referred to in the board’s annual report last year,” stated a letter from the Main Highways Board received at today’s meeting of the Featherston County Council. “On a number of occasions since, the letter added, representations have been made regarding certain projected schemes for planting and there were indications of a growing interest in the matter. It had been considered desirable that district representatives and local authorities in charge of main highways should be advised of the board’s general policy so that any planting schemes might conform to it. “The following resolution had been passed at the last ” meeting of the board: ‘That while sympathetic to the general principle of tree planting on main highways the board considers that the rights and safety of the traffic are its paramount consideration and cannot agree to tree planting where that consideration does not apply nor where the growth of trees is likely to interfere with power or telegraph lines. “That the State Forestry Department be approached as to suitable low-grow-ing trees■ to be planted where lines are in existence or likely to be erected and as to other trees in cases where this does not apply. “That where trees can safely be planted the location be at a sufficient distance from the trafficable part of the road to enable the growth bordering on such part to be controlled by mowing or otherwise. “That subject to these conditions the board will give favourable consideration to any request tor tree planting on highways, the same to be subject in all respects to the approval of its district representatives, the planting body to be responsible for maintenance and trimming; and that any work of tree planting will not be contributed to by the board.”

The letter was received without comment.