DOCSLIB.ORG

The Aerial Control of Wilding Pinus Radiata in Forest

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Aerial Control of Wilding Pinus Radiata in Forest Project No: ADV-363 THE AERIAL CONTROL OF SCATTERED WILDING PINUS RADIATA IN FOREST ENVIRONMENTS PREPARED BY: Andrew Macalister & Tom Stein Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust PO Box 787 Nelson Corresponding author: [email protected] PREPARED FOR: Biodiversity Advice Fund April 2013 ABSTRACT Wilding conifers threaten conservation and landscape values over large areas of New Zealand, with Pinus radiata one of the most common wilding conifer species. This report reviews the suitability of the aerial application of herbicide onto the trunks of wilding P. radiata trees as a control technique, and assesses whether it can be undertaken in a cost-efficient manner and without incurring widespread damage to surrounding native vegetation. INTRODUCTION Wilding conifers occur throughout large parts of New Zealand, threatening conservation values and disrupting visual landscapes. Ten species contribute most of the wildings currently seen in New Zealand, with P. radiata being one of the most common. There are a range of proven control methodologies available for controlling wilding conifers, documented in ‘Wilding Control: Guidelines for the Control of Wilding Conifers’ (Ledgard, 2009). Ground-based methods, such as felling, stem-poisoning and basal bark application, are well-suited for individual trees in accessible locations. For trees in thick infestations and/or scattered individual trees in remote locations, aerial control methods are often preferred, with foliar spraying and bark application methods under development, using a range of herbicides. This project sought to trial aerial application of herbicide onto the trunks of large wilding P. radiata in a forest environment. P. radiata is the most common wilding conifer species in north Marlborough, and most are large and mature trees that established in the past 20 to 80 years coincident with the cessation of grazing on marginal farming land. In most of these areas, a canopy of native vegetation has established around the wilding conifer infestations. The project was designed in collaboration with the Department of Conservation, to complement their own aerial trials on other wilding conifers species in the South Island, most commonly in open grassland environments. OBJECTIVES 1. To measure the kill efficacy of two different herbicide mixes on isolated P. radiata trees in a forest environment, using an aerial application methodology. 2. To measure the cost-efficiency of aerial application as compared to other available control methodologies in forest environments. 3. To measure the impact of the control methodology on adjacent non-target forest species. METHODS Objective 1: Kill efficacy A site was selected in Kenepuru Sound, Marlborough, composed of moderate to steep hill slopes that had previously been cleared, and are now regenerating into a dense mosaic of native forest of varying age, stature and composition. On the slopes there is an almost continuous canopy of kanuka (Kunzea ericoides), with some manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) also present. Broadleaved species, such as mahoe (Melicytus ramiflora), pate (Schleffera digitata) and tutu (Coriaria arborea), and tree ferns dominate the steeply-incised gullies. The predominant wilding conifer presence is large P. radiata, although Pinus pinaster and Pinus muricata were also observed. Possum, goat, deer and pig numbers appeared to be moderate to high, which is typical of the area. The presence of these browsers is severely limiting the regeneration of palatable species. Figure 1: The selected study site at the head of Kenepuru Sound featured mature Pinus radiata among an intact kanuka/manuka canopy, which is typical of wilding conifer spread patterns in the Marlborough Sounds. Based on advice from the Department of Conservation, two different herbicide mixes were prepared. Herbicide mix 1: A 1:3 solution of Grazon® herbicide containing triclopyr butoxyethyl ester (BEE) as the active ingredient (Dow AgroSciences Ltd), and Kwickin® spray oil (SST Australia Ltd) Herbicide mix 2: A 1:3 solution of Grazon® herbicide containing triclopyr BEE as the active ingredient (Dow AgroSciences Ltd), and Syntol® mineral oil (Syntol NZ Ltd). Triclopyr BEE is a systemic herbicide that is very effective on woody and herbaceous weeds and is a widely-used agricultural herbicide. Trials by the Department of Conservation had shown it be effective when applied to the trunk of young wilding conifers in a ‘soft bark’ phase. However, it had not been trialled on large P. radiata. The efficacy of treatment would also rely on effective penetration of the thick bark of the large P. radiata by the triclopyr solution. For this reason, two different spray oils were trialled, one an esterised vegetable oil (Kwickin) and one a non-emulsifiable mineral oil (Syntol), each of which has different penetrative properties. The application was undertaken on 22 November 2009 in light winds. Nokomai Helicopters, of Southland, was engaged to undertake the trial using a Hughes 500E fitted with an extended carbon- fibre pole. The lightweight pole extends approximately five metres in front of the cockpit, thereby significantly reducing the risk that rotor wash will cause herbicide drift onto non-target vegetation. The pilot was required to apply herbicide around the circumference of the leading stems of each tree, requiring the helicopter to rotate around each tree as it applied herbicide and, for multi-stemmed trees, to apply herbicide to more than one leading stem. Achieving herbicide coverage around the circumference of each leading stem is crucial, as the herbicide is only translocated directly up and down the treated stem. Figure 2: The spray pole extended five metres in front of the cockpit, and three metres clear of the rotor blades, to avoid spray drift caused by rotor wash. In total, 21 P. radiata were treated using the Kwickin-based solution, and 26 P. radiata and one P. pinaster with the Syntol-based solution. Eighteen single-stem P.radiata were treated for each solution, with the remaining trees having multiple stems. Twenty-three non-treatment trees were also identified. Baseline monitoring data was recorded the day following aerial application. All trees were numbered, their diameter measured and growth habit recorded. Monitoring of the impacts of the aerial application was undertaken at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 month intervals after control, using visual assessment techniques. An estimate of the percentage of the affected crown of each pine tree was recorded, between 0% (no effect) and 100% (complete kill) on each of the four visits. Objective 2: Cost efficiency Details of the time taken to treat each tree, the amount of herbicide used and the number of trees treated by hour were recorded. Objective 3: Impacts on native vegetation Baseline monitoring data was recorded the day following aerial application. Photo points were established on 20 trees and the surrounding native vegetation was recorded. Monitoring of the impacts of the aerial application on surrounding native-vegetation was undertaken at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 month intervals after control, using visual assessment techniques. A summary of the types of surrounding native vegetation, and an estimate of any impact on these species was recorded. RESULTS Objective 1: Kill efficacy All treatments: Three years after control, nine of the 47 (19%) P. radiata had died (Table 1). A single Pinus pinaster had been treated, and had also died. Table 1: The percentage of dieback on all treated Pinus radiata 38 months after control (n=47). % DIEBACK 100 76-99 51-75 26-50 0-25 TRUNK DIAMETER (mm) <600 4 1 1 6 600-799 1 5 1 1 8 800-999 2 3 6 1 1 13 1000-1199 2 1 5 3 11 >1200 2 3 2 2 9 9 12 16 7 3 19.1% 25.5% 34.0% 14.9% 6.4% All of the P. radiata that had died were single-stem trees. The percentage of single-stem trees that had died, or had suffered greater than 75% canopy dieback and may continue to die back, significantly increased as the trunk diameter of the tree decreased below 800mm (Table 2). Table 2: The percentage of single-stem Pinus radiata exhibiting greater than 75% dieback 38 months after control (n=36). DIEBACK >75% TRUNK DIAMETER (mm) <600 (n=6) 83% 600-799 (n=7) 71% 800-999 (n=11) 27% 1000-1199 (n=7) 43% >1200 (n=5) 0% Herbicide Mix 1 (Kwickin): Three years after control, three of the 21 (14%) P. radiata had died (Table 3). Table 3: The percentage of dieback on all Pinus radiata treated with a Kwickin-based solution, 38 months after control (n=21). % DIEBACK 100 76-99 51-75 26-50 0-25 TRUNK DIAMETER (mm) <600 2 1 3 600-799 1 2 1 4 800-999 2 4 1 7 1000-1199 1 1 3 5 >1200 2 2 3 6 5 4 3 14.3% 28.6% 23.8% 19.0% 14.3% Herbicide Mix 2 (Syntol): Three years after control, six of the 26 (23%) P. radiata had died (Table 4). A single Pinus pinaster had been treated, and had also died. Table 4: The percentage of dieback on all Pinus radiata treated with a Syntol-based solution, 38 months after control (n=26). % DIEBACK 100 76-99 51-75 26-50 0-25 TRUNK DIAMETER (mm) <600 2 1 3 600-799 3 1 4 800-999 2 1 2 1 6 1000-1199 2 4 6 >1200 2 3 2 7 6 6 11 3 0 23.1% 23.1% 42.3% 11.5% 0.0% Control trees: None of the 23 control trees showed any evidence of dieback. Coverage: Three subsidiary trees were located directly underneath treated trees during monitoring visits, which were not able to be viewed from the helicopter and therefore were not treated. These can be regarded as ‘missed’ trees; therefore the coverage rate for aerial treatment was 47 out of 50 (94%).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Establishment of Pseudotsuga Menziesii and Pinus Nigra Seedlings in Kunzea Ericoides and Leptospermum Scoparium Shrubland Communities
    280 AvailableNew on-lineZealand at: Journal http://www.newzealandecology.org/nzje/ of Ecology, Vol. 35, No. 3, 2011 Establishment of Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus nigra seedlings in Kunzea ericoides and Leptospermum scoparium shrubland communities Murray Davis1,*, Graham Coker1, Clayson Howell2 and David Henley1 1Scion, PO Box 29237, Christchurch 8540, New Zealand 2Department of Conservation, PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143, New Zealand *Author for correspondence (Email: [email protected]) Published on-line: 21 March 2011 Abstract: We compared establishment of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and Corsican pine (Pinus nigra) seedlings in kānuka (Kunzea ericoides) and mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) shrubland to test the hypothesis that Douglas fir, because of its greater shade tolerance, is better able to establish in woody communities than pine species. Seed of the conifer species was sown under a range of canopy covers at six sites, the cover being low-statured vegetation in openings between stands, stand edges, and moderate and dense canopies. After three growing seasons, survival of Corsican pine seedlings was greatest in the open and declined progressively as canopy cover increased. This contrasted with Douglas fir, where survival was greatest at the canopy edge. Survival of Douglas fir seedlings significantly exceeded that of Corscican pine seedlings under dense canopy positions. Seedling numbers of both species declined significantly with increasing leaf area index of mānuka, but not kānuka stands, where seedling numbers were lower. Leaf area index of mānuka stands accounted for substantially greater variation in number and survival of Corsican pine than Douglas fir seedlings. It is concluded that Douglas fir is better able to establish in shaded environments in woody communities than Corsican pine; however, further monitoring is required to confirm the long-term survival of both species under the moderate and dense canopy positions in this trial.
    [Show full text]
  • Invasive Alien Trees
    Strasbourg, 2 November 2017 T-PVS/Inf (2017) 8 [Inf08e_2017.docx] CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF EUROPEAN WILDLIFE AND NATURAL HABITATS Standing Committee 37th meeting Strasbourg, 5-8 December 2017 __________ CODE OF CONDUCT FOR INVASIVE ALIEN TREES - FINAL DRAFT - November 2017 Document prepared by Mr Giuseppe Brundu & Mr David M. Richardson (Department of Agriculture, University of Sassari, Italy - Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa) on behalf of the Bern Convention This document will not be distributed at the meeting. Please bring this copy. Ce document ne sera plus distribué en réunion. Prière de vous munir de cet exemplaire. T-PVS/Inf (2017) 8 - 2 – CODE OF CONDUCT FOR INVASIVE ALIEN TREES by Giuseppe Brundu & David M. Richardson (Department of Agriculture, University of Sassari, Italy - Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa) Summary 1. RATIONALE AND AIMS OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT ..............................................................4 2. CODE OF CONDUCT.............................................................................................................................5 2.1 Focus of the Code of Conduct: Invasive Alien Trees ..........................................................................5 2.2 Audience and aims of the Code of Conduct .........................................................................................6 2.3 A voluntary tool ......................................................................................................................................6
    [Show full text]
  • Benefits and Costs of the Wilding Pine Management Programme Phase 2
    Benefits and Costs of the Wilding Pine Management Programme Phase 2 Executive summary Sally Wyatt November 2018 Wilding conifers are a serious pest Wilding conifers are a serious and pressing established pest in New Zealand. They reduce the productivity of primary industries and damage the environmental values that New Zealand is renowned for. Context The Government has been running a national programme to control wilding conifers since 2016. The Wilding Conifer Management Programme is run by the Ministry for Primary Industries. Since 2016 the Ministry has been leading and coordinating stakeholders around the country, understanding the profile of infestation and future vulnerability and planning for a wider roll-out of control efforts. The first phase harnessed the funding support and commitment of wilding tree management groups, land holders, and central and local government. That phase treated wilding conifers across approximately 1.5 million hectares of New Zealand’s high country. MPI is seeking to extend this work into further phases. Phase 2 of the Programme – the subject of this cost-benefit analysis – involves increasing control to roll back the area occupied by wilding conifers to the point where they can be sustainably managed by landowners. The aim is to achieve sustainable management A national Wilding Conifer Control Programme in Phase 2 aims to fight wilding conifer spread by: • coordinating efforts and harnessing skills across multiple agencies in central and local government alongside other stakeholders • developing and maintaining information systems to monitor infestations and areas at risk from invasion, and to support control planning • improving prevention through raising community awareness and promoting best practice in the planting of conifers.
    [Show full text]
  • New Zealand Wilding Conifer Management Strategy
    New Zealand Wilding Conifer Management Strategy A Non-Regulatory strategy for the management of wilding conifers in New Zealand DRAFT for discussion 1 Disclaimer..... published by.... ISBN: xxxxxxxx (print) ISBN: xxxxxxxx (online) November 2013 Contents 1 2 Executive summary The New Zealand Wildling Conifer Management Strategy is a non-statutory strategy which supports collaborative action between land managers, researchers, regulators and communities to address the critical issues facing wilding conifer management. A 2011 a current state report identified that failure to respond to the spread of wilding conifers can lead to the costs of control escalating exponentially. The report recommended the development of a national strategy, and improved leadership, coordination and prioritisation to effectively address the risks of wilding conifer spread. The Ministry for Primary Industries led the development of the strategy in collaboration with a multi-stakeholder working group. The strategy identifies actions for key parties involved in wilding conifer management under four principles; individual and collective responsibility, cost effective and timely action, prioritisation and coordination. While wilding conifers are pests, planted conifers are valuable resources. Two of the spread-prone conifer species in New Zealand are important commercial species which contribute significantly to forestry exports, New Zealand’s third largest export earner after dairy and meat. Effective management of wilding conifers supports NZ’s brand of responsible natural wood products, protects productive farming and forestry land, protects conservation values including native ecosystems and plant species, and protects iconic landscapes for local communities and tourists. To achieve the vision of the right tree in the right place, there is a role for all New Zealanders to be aware of this expanding issue, and support taking action.
    [Show full text]
  • Cost Effective Control of Dense Wilding Conifers in Abel Tasman National Park
    Cost Effective Control of Dense Wilding Conifers in Abel Tasman National Park Background Wilding conifers are invading New Zealand’s native forests and spreading at an estimated rate of 5% per year (1). Most native trees cannot compete with conifers and will eventually be succeeded by them, with significant negative impacts on native ecosystems and wildlife. Wilding conifers can impact ecosystems in other ways, such as negatively affecting water tables due to their high water consumption and increasing fire risk. Conifers are highly combustible and benefit from forest fires as some of their cones are serotinous (i.e. they remain closed until seeds are made available by high temperatures associated with fire). These seeds readily take over a burned area when conditions are ideal for seedlings. Wildling conifers are prolific and can quickly overwhelm native landscapes. Maritime pines (Pinus pinaster), for example, can live up to 300 years and produce great amounts of seeds after reaching maturity at 18 years. This enormous productivity has led to an exponential increase in areas that are affected by wilding conifers during the last decades (fig. 1). In the Abel Tasman National Park, wilding conifers such as radiata pine (Pinus radiata) and maritime pine were widespread, especially along the coastline and adjoining ridges. This distribution reflected their history of having been widely planted in association with early European settlement and farming ventures along the coast from the late 1800s through to the early 1900s. More recent plantings of radiata pine and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), found on private land within and adjoining the Park, primarily as commercial forestry plantations, may have introduced wilding conifers into the Park.
    [Show full text]
  • GCS Address to the 10Th Anniversary Dinner of the Wakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group, Hilton Hotel, Queenstown
    1 GCS Address to the 10th Anniversary dinner of the Wakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group, Hilton Hotel, Queenstown 8 June 2019 I’ve known Eion and Jan Edgar a long time. In fact I’ve known them longer than they have known me. I’ve known them since I was a teenager, a first year student at Otago, when Jan was a willowy and ace netBall player, and Eion I can still see now : where I was naive and uncertain and timid in my duffel coat and jeans and jersey knitted by a loving mother, Eion was a senior student, a tweed jacketed adult, often in a tie –a pipe possibly ? – and to me, he was all maturity and worldly experience and certainty, already old and wise – as he is now. He looks just the same. I knew him, and them, but they didn’t know me. I was a child in that world of adults, watching from a safe distance. 1 2 And it Begs the question, that if Eion looks exactly the same to me now as he did then, is it because back then in the late 1960s he already looked this old ? Or is it because now, fifty years on he still looks that young ? I won’t ask you to raise your hands and condemn yourselves with one answer or another. But where way Back then, when Eion was the symBol of maturity and wisdom, and I was so very self conscious and lost and feeling sorely out of place, there were just one or two things I was sure of : I was certain, for example, that I wanted to be a painter more than anything else – even more than Being the architect I’d planned to be all through my high schooling days.
    [Show full text]
  • Dense Wilding Conifer Control with Aerially Applied Herbicides in New Zealand Stefan Gous1*, Peter Raal2 and Michael S Watt3
    Gous et al. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science 2014, 44:4 http://www.nzjforestryscience.com/content/44/1/4 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Dense wilding conifer control with aerially applied herbicides in New Zealand Stefan Gous1*, Peter Raal2 and Michael S Watt3 Abstract Background: Wilding conifers are a major threat to biological conservation within New Zealand and currently cover at least 500,000 ha throughout the South Island. A range of herbicide treatments was applied to field trials established within wilding Pinus contorta (height range 1 – 15 m) and P. mugo (height range 0.5 – 5m) infestations. Measurements of mortality taken two years post herbicide application were used to determine the efficacy of (i) the traditionally used contact herbicide diquat, applied in an application volume of 300 L ha-1, and (ii) a range of systemic herbicides applied in an application volume of 150 L ha-1. Methods: All herbicides were applied by helicopter using a coarse droplet spectra (VMD = 720 μm) to minimise spray drift. Damage assessments were made two years following application and trees were considered to have died if they had 100% dead foliage. The influence of height class and treatment on tree mortality was assessed using analysis of variance. Results: For a treatment to be considered effective, a mortality rate of over 85% should be achieved on all trees up to 8 m in height. Under this criterion, none of the treatments used in this study provided satisfactory control of the two wilding species. Application of 7200 g ha-1 glyphosate and 120 g ha-1 metsulfuron was significantly better than any other treatment, for both species, causing 64% mortality for P.
    [Show full text]
  • Management Plan for Coronet Forest Arrowtown
    MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR CORONET FOREST ARROWTOWN JANUARY 2017 Prepared for: Queenstown Lakes District Council & Central Otago District Council Prepared By: Briana Pringle, BForSc, Parks and Reserves Officer (Forestry), Queenstown Lakes District Council. 1 2 CONTENTS SUMMARY 5 DISCLAIMER 6 BACKGROUND 7 LEGAL DESCRIPTION/JOINT VENTURE 7 LAND RENTAL 8 SITE CHARACTERISTICS 8 VEGETATION 9 CURRENT USE OF THE FOREST 9 DISTRICT PLAN & DESIGNATION 9 EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME (ETS) 10 MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES 11 FOREST AREA 11 PRE HARVEST INVENTORY – YIELD ANALYSIS/EXPECTED YIELD 12 FOREST VALUE 14 WILDING CONTROL 15 PROPOSED SIGNIFICANT NATURAL AREAS 20 FIRE 21 FENCING, TRACKING AND ROADING 22 HARVEST PLAN BEST PRACTICES, HEALTH AND SAFETY 23 HARVEST PLAN 23 HARVESTING AND MARKETING OF THE FOREST 24 DOUGLAS FIR ESSENTIAL OIL AND BIO FUELS 24 3 REVEGETATION REVEGETATION OBJECTIVES 26 NATIVE/GREY SHRUB LAND RESTORATION 27 REVEGETATION OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME 30 LAND PREPARATION 30 MAINTENANCE WILDING AND WOOD WEED CONTROL 31 REVEGETATION COST 32 APPENDIX 34 MAPS 34 4 SUMMARY This management plan has been prepared by QLDC and describes the management proposals and revegetation recommended for a 2017 harvest. This plan uses estimates based on recent industry averages, conventional harvest engineering methodology and current knowledge. The QLDC and CODC have an opportunity to harvest the Coronet Forest before full maturity, in order to mitigate the wilding threat and re-establish the site with more suitable vegetation. A full harvest now is a solution for dealing with the wider wilding spread that retention of the Forest will inevitably continue to contribute. Just harvesting the oldest stands will not solve the problem as the younger stands at the top of the Forest will continue to spread seed in high winds.
    [Show full text]
  • Q&A: New Zealand's Worst Weed Problem
    New Zealand’s Worst Weed Problem The following questions were asked during our live webinar with Duane Peltzer and Rowan Sprague but due to time restrictions, we were unable to answer these in the session. In areas where the ideal outcome is native conifer forest could we use wilding conifers as the nurse crop to establish a forest canopy and create that shading native species need to establish then target/prioritize control in the grassland & most vulnerable ecosystems? In some areas where there is a surrounding native seed source, we have found that when we control wilding pines and leave them standing dead (using the drill and fill control method), they can facilitate native regeneration by providing shade for native seedlings to grow. However, I wouldn't go so far as to say that wilding pines could be a nurse crop because they often out-compete the natives when they are alive. From what we've seen when exotic pine plantations are converted to a native forest, this is a long process and anecdotally, it seems to work best when pine trees are removed slowly, allowing for natives to regenerate in the understory. What would you say are the key outcomes of your programme in terms of improving management? This is a great question. There are a range of outcomes and impacts planned from the winning against wildings programme. The overall impact of our work is to help achieve the national goals articulated by the national strategy for the management of wilding conifers in NZ; that is, wilding invasions are contained or new invasions prevented by 2030.
    [Show full text]
  • Forest Management Plan Public Summary Updated March 2021
    Forest Management Plan Public Summary Updated March 2021 TASMAN PINE FORESTS LIMITED 189 MAIN ROAD, SPRING GROVE WAKEFIELD 7095, NELSON Forest Management Plan Public Summary Table of Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 2 2. Forest Management Objectives ................................................................................ 3 3. Commercial Crop Silvicultural Operations .................................................................. 5 4. Harvesting ............................................................................................................... 9 5. Environmental Risk Management.............................................................................10 6. Reserve areas and Significant Species .......................................................................11 7. Socio-economic Profile and Stakeholders .................................................................13 8. Forest Products and Other Special Values .................................................................14 9. Property Management and Protection .....................................................................15 10. Monitoring .............................................................................................................16 March 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1 Forest Management Plan Public Summary 1. Introduction Tasman Pine Forests Ltd, (TPFL), a subsidiary of Sumitomo Forestry NZ Ltd, manages 36,599ha of exotic plantation
    [Show full text]
  • Should Coronet Forest Be Harvested Early?
    Attachment A: Consultation article, 16 May 2016 ScuttlebuttTHE QUEENSTOWN LAKES DISTRICT COUNCIL NEWSLETTER // MAY 2016 // ISSUE 114 WILDING SEED SHOULD SOURCE QLDC IS CORONET TING ON CONSULSUE NOW THIS IS e FOREST BE Please share your views befor 27 May by going online toest www.qldc.govt.nz and following the Coronet For HARVESTED link off the homepage. EARLY? Coronet Forest is a view to providing a QLDC owns the land If the forest were left to the 173ha block of commercial return. that the trees are planted grow to maturity, the Douglas fir trees on. It is designated for trees would be harvested growing on the lower The forest is owned the primary purpose between 2029 and 2041, slopes of Coronet jointly by QLDC and our of planting, tending, when they were 45 years Peak, close to neighbours, Central Otago managing and harvesting old. That remains an Arrowtown. It was District Council. QLDC has trees for timber option, but the Council is planted between 1984 a 75 percent stake and production. also considering whether and 1996 and has CODC has 25 percent. it would be advisable to been managed with harvest the trees earlier. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 INSIDE 02 04 10 14 WE HEAR BUILDING CAN’T WE DRESS WARMLY AND YOU! FEES ALL JUST GET SEE QUEENSTOWN ALONG! SPARKLE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 2040 PLANTING NATIVE TREES Whatever the Council decides, Coronet Forest will be harvested sooner or later and the intention is to replant the lower slopes of Coronet Peak in species that won’t spread 2030 as wildings.
    [Show full text]
  • Vegetation Succession Associated with Wilding Conifer Removal
    Weeds of the Natural Environment 374 VEGETATION SUCCESSION ASSOCIATED WITH WILDING CONIFER REMOVAL T.S.H. PAUL1 and N.J. LEDGARD2 1Scion, Private Bag 3020, Rotorua, New Zealand 2Scion, PO Box 29237, Fendalton, Christchurch, New Zealand Corresponding author: [email protected] ABSTRACT Techniques used to remove unwanted wilding conifers can impact on subsequent vegetation successions. Five South Island sites were assessed for vegetation successions after conifers had been removed by four methods, felled to waste, mulched, harvested or killed standing by stem poisoning. Felled conifers created a flush of vigorous plant growth, but this increase was not long-lasting, and the end result was reduced plant biodiversity. Mulching reduced all plant cover initially, but gave poor wilding control. Harvesting led to a dominance of exotics including wildings, whereas solely native plants were found under dead standing trees that had been poisoned. Results indicated that, while there were differences in vegetation composition between the low and high altitude sites, there are good opportunities for manipulating wilding control towards more desirable vegetation covers – particularly involving native plants. Keywords: wildings, conifers, control, succession, natives, exotics. INTRODUCTION Wilding conifers are invading depleted grasslands of the eastern South Island hill and high country. Today, they are estimated to affect between 600-800,000 ha of the South Island (North et al. 2007) and control techniques are now widely, and in many cases successfully, practised (Woods 2004; Ledgard & Woods 2007). The success of such removal operations is often judged solely by whether wilding pines reappear in the cleared areas. However, from a protection and restoration point of view, the removal and possible reoccurrence of an invasive species should not be the only qualitative measure of successful control.
    [Show full text]