Forum Archive Index - September 2003

["Dave Missen" <d.tackle@xtra.co.nz>]

Terry

 

The short answer is yes.

 

Have seen small stands of native trees used where small pockets of land are being retired.  The quantity overall is insignificant.  Time to grow exceeds one normal human lifespan (depending on species and environment) so often not considered as a cash crop.

 

There have been other attempts to break out of the monoculture of pinus radiata (eucalyptus, Douglas fir, acacia) but these have either been on small scale or have not proved ideal to specific environment they were grown in.

 

The biggest pity is that there are native trees dying (or blown over in climatic events etc) in native bush that are left unharvested.  Perhaps an example of excess zeal by conservation lobby groups making it all but impossible to harvest this valuable resource under current RMA rules.  It is possible to harvest (selective logging??) this timber using heavy-lift helicopters with out leaving a disaster area behind however the Greens in particular would rather see them left to rot so that the natural (inclusive of decay) can be allowed to occur.

 

The have been a few prospectuses for non-native hardwood forestry blocks floating around in recent years.  It appears these companies are focused on niche off-shore markets for hardwood chips/pulp.

 

Dave

----- Original Message -----

From: terry weston

To: sharechat@sharechat.co.nz

Sent: Monday, September 15, 2003 12:34 PM

Subject: [sharechat] planting trees

Is there any planting of native hardwood trees done in nz for future generations and how long do they take to grow.