Fieldays planned by ‘Tree Growers’

Awapapa Station at Hangaroa (pictured) will host a “fielday” run by Tree Growers Tairāwhiti later this month where the focus will be on the successful use of poplars for land stability. File picture

Tree Growers Tairāwhiti — formerly known as The East Coast Farm Forestry Association — has two fieldays planned, one at Awapapa Station and the other at the Eastwoodhill Arboretum and Rere.

On Wednesday, September 20 Awapapa Station at Hangaroa will host a fielday that will focus on poplar plantings done over three generations on the property.

“It will delve into the benefits that they have provided to this farm in particular in preventing extensive erosion following recent cyclones,” said Tree Growers Tairāwhiti spokesman Barry Foster.

Awapapa recently featured in an episode of Country Calendar.

“The question is what can we learn from this poplar planting for the benefits of our region and farming in general?”

On Wednesday, October 25 the fielday attention switches to “Trees for Bees”, based at Eastwoodhill Arboretum and Rere.

“Our intention for this fielday is to firstly look at the progress of a large area of two-year-old oak planting at Eastwoodhill,” Mr Foster said.

“This is an experimental planting that Tree Growers Tairāwhiti was involved in planting on a site that was previously in pines.

“Following this we will be shown around some special interest trees in the arboretum by Dr Linda Newstrom Lloyd,” he said.

Dr Newstrom Lloyd spent two spring and summer seasons at Eastwoodhill in 2012 and 2013 with students from France identifying and researching those trees that are of most importance as a source of high-value protein pollen sources for bees, particularly in the critical spring and autumn months.

“Many of the trees she found have multiple benefits in terms of shade, shelter, erosion control, timber production as well as bee forage.

“For example, the Himalayan alder Alnus nitida is one species of particular interest that will be discussed.

“Following this, Dr Newstrom-Lloyd will demonstrate the on-line Trees For Bees Plant Finder tool on the Trees for Bees website that enables best species to fit particular site conditions and requirements.

“Later in the day we plan to visit Waioma Station further up the Rere valley where several years ago, a steep hillside was planted in Tagasaste (commonly called tree lucerne) that generally held during recent severe weather events.

“Once again, the questions will be looked at what can we learn from these plantings and past research to benefit our region?”

The fieldays will be open to the public.

Please phone or text Kees Weytmans on 027 446 5658 or email kees@knapdale.co.nz to register.