The recent windstorm of July 2022 tipped over a number of 30 year old nitens – with large rootballs failing. 20 Eucs and one pine fell over – both species had been side pruned. Despite the fact that the nitens have been the best growth, and form tree, they are all destined for chainsaw because […]
An initiative of Central Canterbury Farm Forestry
Posts by dave13
Photos show the mess Canterbury wind makes – and at least one stem which broke has significant canker related rot at the point of failure. Latest experience suggests lusitanica don’t cope with wind, but are more canker resistant.
Some of us joined the Nth Canterbury Farm Forestry Group’s field day to the approx. 20 year old Redwoods growing from sea level to about 400m in a rainfall of about 1200mm. There were some great messages. First, plant cloned not seedling material. The photo shows cloned on right, seedlings – with average to worse […]
Chestnut may be useful as organic / zero chemical vineyard post. Our experience at Silverwood is they sucker badly and so there’s a need for ongoing silviculture, including form pruning. Suckers are best removed in summer, to reduce regrowth/adventitious shoots. On a different site, we have a useful single row shelter belt, pruned with hedge […]
These were planted in 2009 into ripped lines (winged ripper), and have grown well on this dry, hard site up Leaches Road. These have been wind stable (we know that lusitanica means less stable…). The key measurements are summarised regarding branchiness and DBH here. Plot 1 Plot 2 Plot 3 Plot 4 Five
The wattle spacing demonstration which in 2022 is now 10 years old has shown the team how incredibly variable the trees are. The variability is within selections, across selections… So, our message to those keen to grow this fast growing, beautiful hardwood timber is plant at high density – 2 m x 2m into deep […]
There’s always some pruning, cleaning up to do on a forestry block. There’s enjoyment in the working together and the yak/cuppa half way through or lunch at end. Would be great to see you there sometime. We send out emails to our farm forestry group but if you would like to volunteer please get in […]
The photo below, taken Aug 2013 shows how extremely variable A. dealbata lines are. These trees are Huon valley selections, all from the same stock. Clearly, when planting seeds, the lines are delivering extremely variable plants.
The trees have grown very well. The photos below seek to show the key differences. Plot 1 is furthest from the road, Plot 5 is closest to Leaches Rd. Stapehill row is to the West, closest to the natives. The trees were heavily branched – making it too hard to get a photo of the […]
The recent frosts appear to have killed about 20% of our wattle trees. High populations to start with may well be a key to success with this high value, hardwood timber. They were planted almost 12 months ago and many are now over 1 m high. The tree in the photo shows really good root […]