Re: Monterey Pine

Jerry Heverly wrote:
> 
> Please excuse my sending this somewhat stale message.  Sean says it didn't
> go through the last time.  I'm trying it again to see what happens.
> 
> >>Please allow me to weigh in with an explanation for the confusing
> >>behavior
> >>of Pinus radiata:... (snip)

> >>
> >>Will there come a day when Pinus radiata will be extinct in Monterey but
> >>thriving in Wellington?

Jerry 
Thanks for this very interesting information.

Regarding the growing of the tree in New Zealand. Not by any means all
this country has sandy soils, quite a lot of areas are loams or even 
heavy clays, but the main area in the central North Island, where some
of the largest plantings are, is heavily laced with pumice, which makes
a pretty poor dry soil, and in other parts the trees often grow on 
heavily-leached hillsides. I guess this makes for tough healthy growth,
as they are certainly pretty disease-free (so far).

In spite of the soil they are planted in, the growth is phenomenal with
millable timber being achieved in 30-35 years. Not even Australia can
match this rate. Just what there is in this climate to promote such high
growth rates I am not sure, but it is well known that many other types
of plant (Proteas for instance) grow far better here than in their
homelands.

In the early days some other species were also tried for timber
production here. Two I have come across were Douglas Fir and Corsican
Pine. The latter was no competitor, but the fir proved quite good and is
still planted in small quantites.

I was a bit astonished that they were ever have been popular as garden
trees in California. I should have thought they would be a bit
overwhelming in any average sized property. I have known a few in
gardens round this area, some were originally Christmas trees and a few
were probably escapes from commercial plantings, but all in time became
a liability and had to be felled. There are a few ancient ones in public
areas around our valley, but the most venerable and imprssive in the
area are in the Wellington Botanic Gardens, where they were established
over 100 years ago as a seed source. Some of these oldies are now dying
off (their lifespan in NZ is apparently about 120-130 years), but many
still exist as a very prominent feature of the gardens.

Perhaps we shall have to send you back some of our vigorous youngsters
one of these days.

Moira

-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand
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