thisNZlife

WHO: OAKS NZ

WEB: search for the ‘Oaks New Zealand' group on Facebook

'Mighty oaks from little acorns grow', and that's the group's goal. Its long-term plan is to see oaks planted all over the country, especially as timber trees.

Part of the mission is identifying which of the 600 or so oak species are in NZ. Officially it's 150, but Oaks NZ is hoping there are more.

The plan is to track down the rare ones. It's important to improve the genetic diversity of what is being propagated as today it's very difficult and expensive to bring new oak genetics into NZ. Acorns must be quarantined for up to two years before getting biosecurity clearance.

There are also exciting research trials underway around the country. Seven deciduous red oaks are growing at Eastwoodhill Arboretum on a hectare of its woodlot block, and at Rewanui, a trust-owned research station in the Wairarapa. Amenity plantings have gone in at Battle Hill Farm Forest Park in Wellington.

The seven Quercus species in Oak NZ's deciduous red oak trial were chosen for their fast growth:

Q. rubra (Northern red oak)

Q. palustris (pin oak)

Q. texana syn. nuttallii (Nuttal's oak)

Q. shumardii (Shumard's oak)

Q. ellipsoidalis (Northern pin oak)

Q. kelloggii (California black oak)

Q. pagoda (cherrybark oak)

These range from well-known to rare in New Zealand. Seedlings are being planted in clusters, and then thinned to select the best ones.

Oaks NZ is also in the early stages of a partnership that will see oaks planted and professionally managed on farms around the country, and is providing advice on oaks in a production/carbon forest being established in Whanganui.

Eric is planting more Mexican species on his block near Wellington. I've got 1ha of North American oaks, some Mexicans and specimen trees going in. Kees has superbly tended woodlots on his Gisborne property. Gary planted his first oaks at the tender age of 17 and now has 50 different Quercus species, with more rare oaks going in this winter.

You can keep up to date with Oak NZ's plans, ask questions, pass on details of significant oaks in your district, share photos, and just join in the ‘quercy' fun on the Oaks New Zealand Facebook page.

FEATURE

en-nz

2021-08-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-08-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://thisnzlife.pressreader.com/article/281883006323909

NZ Lifestyle Magazine Group