Among many ways we can make a difference to our environment and the world is to plant a tree — and this is the season to do it. Shane Jones is busy arranging for millions of pine trees to be planted but I am keener to see us go native.
Will a tree or two planted in the garden really make a difference, particularly in town? Yes. Apparently our urban environments nationwide are losing high numbers of irreplaceable mature trees as legal protection for them diminishes.
As a result our biggest cities are falling behind some of the most heavily developed cities in the world in terms of tree cover. On the plus side, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff proposes planting 1.5 million native trees in the city over the next three years.
I'm trying to practice what I preach and have planted more than 50 native species on the hillsides around where I live, with varied results. For instance, I have discovered, to my cost, that some natives can't handle salty winds.
The best times of the year for planting are during the autumn months of April to May or late winter - spring (August-September). Planting outside the cooler winter months means that a lot of watering may be required to keep plants alive.