Out to malign pine — never mind facts

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

I must take strong exception to Mr Caddie’s attempts to establish the myth that pine trees are some sort of “bad guy”.
The Monterey pine, Pinus radiata, that we have here has been extensively modified and adapted for New Zealand conditions over many years of research and test plantings.
The statement: “Mature pine plantations are collapsing in catchments across the region. These shallow-rooting softwoods are completely out of place in the region and doing huge damage” is very wrong. Total misinformation.
“Plantations collapsing across the region” — Really?!
The facts are: pine has a tap root system — Wikipedia: “Monterey pine roots will reach downward as far as physically permitted by subterranean conditions. Roots have been discovered up to 12 metres long.”
The district’s shallow, geologically new soils do not allow tap-rooted trees to penetrate as far, but it should be noted that many of New Zealand’s trees and bushes are shallow-rooted, having developed naturally in that environment.
As for being “out of place” here, they are no more out of place than the Norfolk pines along the beach, or the many other trees people have chosen to grow.
The primary purpose of pines in this region was for soil erosion control and repair. Pines were chosen because they are hardy, quick-growing and have good root systems, as tested by years of research.
Mr Caddie and his self-chosen group Te Weu Tairāwhiti should stop trying to make pines the villain.
Land-use choices and practices are decided by land owners —humans who are often guilty of treading the wrong path for the sake of money and short-term gain.
Roger Handford