Possums killing coastal pohutukawa

By ROSALEEN MacBRAYNE


Magnificent pohutukawa along the Bay of Plenty coast are under threat from browsing possums.

Pohutukawa, dubbed the New Zealand Christmas tree because of their blaze of crimson during the short flowering period at this time of year, are being seriously damaged and Environment Bay of Plenty says strong measures are needed to protect them.

Possums tend to feed on selected trees, removing leaf shoots and opening up the canopy.

Environmental scientists say heavy browsing can eventually kill even large, mature specimens.

An aerial survey has highlighted possums as a major cause of damage to the native trees in some areas, including north of Tauranga Harbour and around the East Cape.

Steps must be taken to protect pohutukawa and other coastal species, said the chairman of the regional council's regulation and monitoring committee, Ian Noble.

"This is a precious resource."

A firm management regime needed to be put in place, including intensive pest control.

Environment BOP is setting up a programme to monitor the region's coastal forests. Staff are at first mapping the trees and checking their health by studying the canopy from the air.

Environmental scientist Joh Taylor said the largest concentrations of pohutukawa were east of Opotiki, near Whakatane, at Matata and north of Waihi Beach.

But other, smaller stands were just as highly valued.

Christmas tree

* Pohutukawa belong to the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), which is made up of about 3000 different tropical and warm temperate trees, shrubs and vines.

* Eucalyptus, feijoas, cloves, guavas and bottlebrushes are other family members.

* Pohutukawa are slow-growing, eventually reaching 15m-20m in height.