Love of Trees

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 38, 5 April 1929, Page 11

Love of Trees

Valuable Lectures Broadcast by 3YA Useful Community Work

Valuable community work is being done by 3YA in broadcasting a’ special series of talks on trees by Mr. D. B. Parton and Mr. Young, curator of the Christchurch Botanical Gardens, on the selection, care, and treatment of hedge and ornamental trees. In a talk ol Monday last Mr. Parton explained xe objective of the Public Utilities ommittee in fathering this work as follows :- "Mr. Young and. I commenced this -geries of talks on tree life some little time ago, in the hope that owners would become more interested in their own property, and in their regard for public service. It was thought that citizens generally and the younger members of the community in particular might be awakened to the need for learning more about the trees that already exist in the city, and-encourage more _ extensive planting. "Mr. Young has offered to enlighten owners on matters of planting and pruning, or by means of lectures, and we expected some inquiires to be made in this direction. This unfortunately has not been done in the extent antici- ‘ pated, and this address is being deliver1 ed in the hope that further interest will] be aroused. The requirements of Christchurch have been closely studied by the P.U.C., and its investigations prepared in pocket size booklet form. Public bodies in New Zealand and Australia’ have been supplied with copies, and some valuable and interesting acknowledgments received in return. The booklet is available to Christchurch citizens at nominal cost, and it is intended to enlarge on the subject by broadcast and public lectures as the people increase their interest. These will deal with tree life and planting generally, and lead on at a larger stage to trimming young trees of all descriptions, fruit trees, flowering trees, ornamental trees more suitable for garden purposes, and -to roadside trees and trees in parks and other public spaces. The main feature of these talks will er such guestions as:-Care in culavatyon, selection of sturdy, well-de-veloped trees, necessity from -variety and appearance, determining physical state-of soil and its preparation, careful pruning by experts and the special training of others, spacing and freedom for development, regard for service lines and pipes, removal of undesirable species and growth. ° "If there is sufficient demand for information in this form, the addresses will be extended, but in the meantime I am content to continue with a general reference to planting, but with a more particular reference to trimming. "Mr, Young will tell you that the importance of the work being carried out by properly-trained men cannot be over-emphasised. Intelligent gardeners can be taught, but the reason for adopting different methods under different conditions and the various kinds of cuts must be explained to them.

Even the care and use of tools suitable for the work is of great importance, and in the long run it pays to give all the details due consideration," Tree Trimming. DEALING then with tree trimming. Mr. Parton said it was essential for success to know something of tree life. This involved selection and planting, preservation and pruning. Where so many public services with overhead wires were concerned the proper care of trees presented some of the most difficult problems confronting city authorities, but the culture of suitable trees in public places need not be restricted even by telephone and electric light wires. There were certain principles that must be observed in producing the right species and in planting to ensure correct development. It would interest householders to know that in their gardens a weakly tree can often be coddled into natural vigour, whereas this was impossible in public streets. Where impure atmospheriec conditions prevail the choice of trees was exceedingly limited. Conifers, for instance, were particularly impatient of such conditions and evergreens were unreliable. Pruning. T was often necessary for an expert or even for line authorities to conduct a vigorous campaign against abnormal growth, but it must be realised that this was done for a very good purpose and that it was not always possible to bow to public opinion. Dangerous trees could not on any account be allowed to remain in public places. A nice array of trees properly trained by householders created an excellent impression upon visitors and the present system of the Horticultural Society in rewarding residents who have made special efforts to demonstrate to passers-by what can be done must ultimately lead to such a desirable condition of affairs being extended. Some owners or their representatives in cutting up an estat= or erecting buildings frequently planted trees along the boundaries.or in front of each section to encourage a ready sale, Very often the wrong class of tree was planted or they were placed too close together and too near the footpath. Later they attained such dimensions as to interfere with overhead lines and vigorous lopping had to be resorted to in some such cases against the wishes of residents and subsequently charges were made regarding incompetent workmen. If owners would seek the co-operation™ of those handling tree trimming useless hacking would be avoided. To ensure that branches of trees near to service lines, etc., were not removed in a careless manner and that a proper method of healing the wounds was followed owners were strongly enjoined to get in touch with the engineering. branch of the City Council for instructions as to the ways

and means of doing the work. The booklet issued by the Christchurch Public Utilities Committee would show how unnecessary mutilation was avoided, how the beauty and symmetry of trees could be preserved and how wounds could be protected against decay. The manner in which branches were cut and the dressing of wounds was of much greater importance than at first appeared and would be dealt with in greater detail later,