Hall's Reserve Has Historic Links

Forest and Bird, Issue 310, 1 November 2003, Page 43

Hall's Reserve Has Historic Links

KEN CLARK

A forest planted by a pioneer botanist is now in the care of the Thames-Hauraki branch of Forest and Bird. William Hall Memorial Reserve is named for the man who described Hall’s totara. A lesser-known aspect of Hall’s life is that, living in Thames in the nineteenth century, he planted an arobretum there, mostly of native trees because in his words, ‘the extensive and frequently wanton destruction of native bush has been going on at such a pace that it will soon be difficult, if not impossible to get sight of some of the rarer species. After Hall’s death his aroboretum of about three acres fell into neglect and was overrun by invasive plants such as wattle, pine, privet, and woolly nightshade. The arboretum was ‘rediscovered’ for Forest and Bird members when Allison Williamson, a botanist and

committee member of Forest and Bird, heard it mentioned at a scientific meeting in Auckland. On coming home she was surprised to find her home touched directly on it. After talks with the local Council, which has ownership of the reserve, ThamesHauraki Forest and Bird arranged for a group of volunteers to tidy it up. An inventory was made of the trees which are now 130 years old. The tallest was found to be a Norfolk pine at 40 metres. In comparison, two kauri reached 33 metres. The engagement of volunteers with the reserve is

to continue. The exact boundaries of the reserve remain blurred and some heavy clearing is needed to take out large invasive trees. The Forest and Bird branch is working on a five-year programme to attract funds needed for fencing out wandering cattle, restoring public walkways, and dealing with unwanted trees and plants. If this can be done, the district would gain a precious heritage asset, and Hall’s great vision could become a reality.

Thames-Hauraki

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