Returning Forest to a City Open Space

Forest and Bird, Issue 302, 1 November 2001, Page 40

Returning Forest to a City Open Space

— Source.

AND

ANNE FENN

DAVID

ew forest cover is being planted on Hamlin’s Hill, in an industrial suburb of Auckland, as a project of Central Auckland Forest and Bird. Gently sloping Hamlin’s Hill (Mutukaroa) survived as open fields till recent years because it was the holding paddocks of Otahuhu freezing works. Now it is a reserve managed by the Auckland Regional Council. Central Auckland branch became involved early on, planting native trees from 1998. Deliberately, a wide variety of trees and shrubs has been planted, so that a fertile and diverse community can grow, and more successful species can assume natural dominance. They include kauri, rimu, kahikatea, rewarewa, kanuka, titoki and karaka. Shrub and other smaller species include karo, ribbonwood, coprosma, whau, manuka, nikau, flax and cabbage trees. Between June 1998 and October 2000, some 20,000 plants were dug in, making up four hectares of native forest. Significant numbers of these were planted by volunteers on days organised by the branch along with Auckland City Council (which owns half the reserve) and the Auckland Regional Authority. Another hectare has now been identified in which the branch and others are working this season.

Early on, several hundred trees had to be dug up and shifted because they might have damaged archaeological (early European farm) sites. While the matter was quickly resolved it exemplifies the need for good and open communication between all parties before digging begins. The trees planted during the first season of 1998 are now a credible two-three metres tall. Located in a gully with a stream running through, they form their own microclimate in which they are obviously doing very well. Now these trees are established, work can be concentrated on infilling with understorey species.

Apart from this success being very gratifying, the plantings also serve as an interesting ‘living laboratory from which to learn lessons for other restoration projects. For

instance, now that the trees form a dense canopy, weed species have practically been eliminated simply because they are shaded out. Also, the plants are bearing large quantities of

fruit, which in turn is attracting birds to the area, and distributing seed naturally. The success of the planting provides information about densities and areas necessary for

rapid afforestation. The extent of sheltering ‘edge effects’ is clear, showing this depends on the ‘depth’ and ‘width’ of areas planted, plant densities and plant types. There may well be

lessons here for other plantings in the region. Earlier plantings were located around a stream, and the relation between them and the water quality is obvious. It would be valuable to study these changes, for assessing and restoring other urban waterways. People are encouraged to visit the site to see at first-hand the success of the plantings. Forest and Bird members can be proud of what they have achieved. The area also indicates just what can be achieved by planting trees within an urban area.