Scion Rotorua research technician Kane Fleet treats one of the sick Norfolk pines at Mount Maunganui. Photo / Andrew Warner
Scion Rotorua research technician Kane Fleet treats one of the sick Norfolk pines at Mount Maunganui. Photo / Andrew Warner
Scientists should know in six months whether 14 Norfolk pines along Mount Maunganui beach can be saved.
The trees, thought to be suffering from a pathogen in the soil, are being injected with agri-chemical phosphite by scientists from crown research institute Scion this week.
Twenty-one trees are being treated. Fourteenare actually sick and seven are being used as a control for Scion's research.
Tauranga City Council arborist Richard Conning said Scion would review the trees in six months and would then be able to give a good indication of whether the trees had improved.
Mr Conning said the project was funded entirely by Scion and the results would also be used to treat trees in a similar condition in Gisborne.
"It's all coming to a head this year because of the drought. That just stresses the trees out and allows the pathogens to attack the trees more effectively." The treatment will be kept up for two years.
"We're also applying fertiliser to grass areas, which improves the soil's ability to retain moisture and transfer nutrients to the trees. We're also looking at the watering regime throughout summer."
Mr Conning said the chemicals used in the treatment were not harmful to humans and would be buried deep inside the trunks.
