Re: NZ Metrosideros (was Street trees)
- Subject: Re: NZ Metrosideros (was Street trees)
- From: T* a* M* R*
- Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 09:50:24 +1200
Barry Garcia wrote:
>
> theryans@xtra.co.nz writes:
> >This species is hardier than M excelsa and occurs naturally right to the
> >southen tip of North Island, including the local bush in our area, but
> >many have been lost over the years as it is, alas, a very favoured food
> >among our worst local bush pests the Australian Brush-tailed Possums,
> >whose tendency to concentrate on one tree until it is totally defoliated
> >has led to the death of many a fine Rata. Strenuous efforts have been
> >made in recent times to control these creatures and with their reduction
> >we hope the remaining mature trees will survive and replacements get the
> >chance to grow.
>
> Hmm...i wonder if the Rata has a tendency to go wild in places it is not
> native (since you say it is hardier than M. excelsa, i think it would do
> just fine here). With it's sometimes epiphytic and then strangler nature i
> could see people angrily tearing out beautiful large Rata due to them
> invading forests :) (hey, it could happen....i dont think most though
> Senicio mikianoides would turn out to be such a pest when they introduced
> it in California).
Barry
We have a most awful record here for thoughtless introductions both of
plants and animals (mainly, but not all, back in the 19th century). One
of the most destructive of all has been the possum I was talking about,
which has devastated our forests, pushing many beautiful plant species
towards extinction, such as Ratas and native misletoes, and killing off
our rarer birds by attacking their nests. Ironically, when these beasts
were introdued as a source of fur, Members of Parliament were competing
to secure some for release in their particular electorates!!
Nowadays no plant or animal can be brought in without careful scrutiny
and tests by the authorities to ensure it cannot run wild.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan
Wainuiomata - at the Southern tip of North Island, NZ,
Lat 41°15'S, Long 174°58'E (Antipodes of Spain/Southern France)
