Farm forestry field day at Wensleydale

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

“Trees for all reasons” is the theme of the next field day by the Gisborne East Coast branch of the NZ Farm Forestry Assocation.

It is on Sunday, at Wensleydale, 901 Waiomoko Road, Whangara.

The branch will also hold its annual meeting on that day, which will start at 12 noon.

“Bring your own lunch and tea and coffee will be provided,” said organiser Nick Seymour.  “At 12.45pm the AGM will be held in the garden.

“At 2pm we will meet at Newman Road, 520 Waiomoko Road for an open field day to view the harvesting of 120 hectares of pinus radiata on class 7 steep hill country, formerly pasture, planted after Cyclone Bola.

“This forest is part of Wenleydale Station and is owned by Wensleydale Forestry Company.”

Mr Seymour said on-site technical discussions would traverse harvesting conditions, replanting, what species were suitable on steep dry hill country and silviculture on this land .

“We believe that the harvesting conditions in place in this forest are the future.

“Replanting is the question. There is a need to scope out other tree species that may have a longer growing time, but must be able to cope with the long dry summers, steep hillsides and fragile soils with little or no topsoil.”

Four by four vehicles will be necessary but vehicles will be pooled.

PF Olsen’s forest manager will escort the vehicles on this private road.

• Trees for all reasons field day, March 24, 12 noon. Inquiries to Nick Seymour, pnseymour@xtra.co.nz or phone 862 2697.