Our choice of tree, the location we plant it in and how much research we've done into its ultimate size and habit all have an impact on the outcome for that tree. Trees are investments. Larger specimens require skilled management over time, but will add value to your property and the wider community in the long run.
Small trees are perfect for suburban back yards. Deciduous trees planted to the west shade a home from hot summer sun. Evergreen natives planted to the south provide a windbreak for the house and the rest of the garden - their flowers or berries are food for native birds.
Trees increase the visual, leafy appeal of neighbourhoods - new housing developments certainly look better in 10 years after the trees have grown.
My parents recently spent a day volunteering at their local playcentre in Weymouth, bringing back memories for them. Back in the 1970s my father and a friend planted totara and several silver birches there.
The primary school also planted pohutukawa then and, more recently, Manukau City Council invested in large pohutukawa for street planting in the area.
Weymouth has some lovely street trees. My favourite landmark is a historic oak. It has been satisfying to see how well these trees have grown over the years.
Our family have been in the Weymouth community since my great-grandfather's day, back when the area was a quaint little fishing village surrounded by farmland. Trees that my grandparents planted are still going strong.
The house we grew up in is right beside the harbour and gets hammered by prevailing winds. More than 30 years ago, my parents planted trees to protect the house. Now established, the successful specimens include an unusual yellow-flowering pohutukawa and a hardy Norfolk Island hibiscus that buffer the house from these winds. More recently, we underplanted with natives including akeake (Dodonia viscosa), and Olearia paniculata.
The planting helps to stabilise the bank from king tides and are wonderful assets, sheltering the house, which faces the hot afternoon sun to the west.
The main job is to thin and lift the canopy of these trees to capture the view, which requires occasional help from an arborist. But, for the most part, the trees look after themselves.
Can cutting trees help the environment?
Paradoxically, cutting trees can help offset greenhouse gases. Cutting a tree grown in a plantation and using it for timber in a permanent fixture (ie, building a house) is a way of "locking" carbon (a greenhouse gas) from the atmosphere. It is essential that another tree is planted in its place. Always ask for FSC-certified plantation-grown timber and avoid rainforest species such as kwila. So yes, building with timber is a choice we can make to help the planet.
Tree growing is popular in my family. Uncle Tony grows natives from seed and has established beautiful park-like grounds on 2ha in Titirangi. He advocates planting native species for quality timber to diversify our forestry efforts. Planting native trees in forestry is a long-term commitment, but it is a beautiful way to provide financial and environmental sustainability for future generations.
Arbor Day events
Keep New Zealand Beautiful is encouraging schools, businesses and civic organisations to join in community "greening"events in their Arbor Week planting programme.
With Paper4Trees, they will provide free seedlings to participating volunteer groups and schools.
See knzb.org.nz for community planting events in your area.
For Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park planting day Hamilton City Council needs at least 3000 people to help plant 30,000 plants. Register at parksopenspacescustomerservices
@hcc.govt.nz.
Take part in planting days with Ngati Whatua Orakei, at Orakei Marae. Next date: Saturday, June 20, 9.30am-12.30pm.
