SOME NEGLECTED N.Z. TREES

Forest and Bird, Issue 46, 1 November 1937, Page 9

SOME NEGLECTED N.Z. TREES

By B. C. Aston.

(Continued from May Issue.)

KAIKOMAKO.

SOMEWHAT slow in growth is the quaint small tree, the Kaikomako (Pennantia corymbosa), useful to the Maori as a tree from which fire was obtained by rubbing two sticks together. This is the conventional method of describing the operation of obtaining fire by aboriginal methods, but the statement is somewhat bald and conveys a misleading idea that the process is easy. Let any boy scout try it! I think that he would prefer tinder and steel in the absence of a match. Actually, although I have seen many wonderful exhibitions by Maoris, I have only seen fire produced by this means once, and then it took about seven minutes of the most strenuous and skilful effort on the part of a muscular old native. The Kaikomako goes through a rather unbeautiful juvenile growth, and in poor, exposed soils this state may persist for many years as an interlaced mass of twiggy branchlets and small leaves. In good deep soil in sheltered situations, this species grows into a fine small tree with one trunk and a rounded head of branches covered with dark green leaves much larger than those of the juvenile state. The flowers are small and white, but give place to numerous berries which are attractive to birds which spread the seed everywhere. It is a tree suitable for a small garden where only a few trees are desired. It does not outgrow its welcome, and although partly deciduous is never bare. Although casting pleasant shade the ground is not rendered dry and unfertile, and it will allow other plants to grow freely right up to the base of the trunk. It has been suggested that, by striking of the adult form and raising the trees from them, one might successfully avoid going through the unlovely juvenile stage. This trick of speeding up nature is applicable to many other trees which pass through a prolonged youth stage greatly different in ornamental value to that of the adult stage. There are several striking examples in the matai or black pine (Podocarpus spicatus), white pine (P. dacrydioides), the southern kowhai (Edwar dsia microphylla), and others. Plants raised

in this manner may be expected to show differences in respects other than good looks. Totara (Podocarpus totara) may be expected to have a much greater rate of growth when raised in this manner, and from being obstinate in making a start become a quick-growing shelterbelt tree or hedge plant, as demonstrated by Mr. Peter Black, Director of the Palmerston North Municipal Reserves. It may be possible to quicken the growth of that highly desirable miro pine (Podocarpus ferrugineus) by this means. Although attractive at all stages of its life, the miro is slow-growing in youth. It is hardier than most New Zealand coniferous trees and makes splendid specimen trees in isolated positions.