Oral Submission Presentation by Blake Foster - New Zealand ...

Methods
A total of 2.5 days were spent on Pukaki Downs station and in the surrounding area (May 31 –
June 2, 2010). Most of this time was spent in the company of Blake Foster of Pukaki Downs
station. A short time was also spent talking to Gill Seymour of Ferintosh station, and Peter
Willemse and Neil Bolton of the Department of Conservation, Twizel. In addition, NL has been
familiar with the wilding situation on Pukaki Downs and within the Mackenzie Basin since the
1970s, and has studied and written reports on the topic.
Useful documents and other material consulted were:
• Department of Lands and Survey, 1985: Trees planted in association with
power development in the mid and upper Waitaki 1958-1984. Technical
Report Series No 1, Department of Lands and Survey, Dunedin. Copy held
by Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington.
• Maps and aerial photos supplied by Pukaki Downs station and Carbon Farm
Ltd.
• Photos supplied by Pukaki Downs station and from NL’s collection.
• Ledgard, N.J.; Baker, G.C 1997: Management options for introduced trees
on Ruataniwha Farm, around lakes Tekapo, Pukaki and Ruataniwha and
within the Tekapo, Pukaki and Ohau rivers. Contract report for Bob Lysaght,
Crown Property Services, Land Information NZ, Christchurch
• Ledgard, N.J. 2004: Wilding conifers – New Zealand history and research
background. In Hill, R.l.; Zydenbos, S.M.; Bezar, C.M. (Eds) “Managing
wilding conifers in New Zealand – present and future”. Proceedings of a
workshop held in conjunction with the annual general meeting of the NZ Plant
Protection Society in Christchurch on August 11, 2003. ISBN 0-478-10842-7
Published by NZPPS: 1-25
Main findings
Spreading species
The major conifer species spreading on Pukaki Downs are given in Table 1. By far the most
dominant species is contorta pine. Unfortunately, this is the most spread-prone conifer in New
Zealand, with the lightest seed – which can be disseminated the greatest distances.
Table 1. Major spreading species on Pukaki Downs
Common
name
Latin Name Wilding seed source Comments
Lodgepole or Pinus contorta 1. Trees ‘mistakenly’ planted The most spread-prone species in NZ,
contorta pine
on the shores of L. Pukaki in and by far the major spreading species
the 1970s. 2. Spread from (99%) on Pukaki Downs. Usually first
farm homestead plantings
now under the lake
coning around age 5-6
European larch Larix decidua 1970s lake-shore trees – plus Mostly associated with widely
the earliest arrivals possibly scattered outlier wildings, a number of
by seed from old stand near which now have fringe spread.
mouth of Whale Stream Spreading from age 15
Douglas-fir Pseudotsuga Mostly from lake-shore trees Most wildings under age 12 and still
menziesii
planted in the 1970s – plus close to lakeside seed source. Likely
some from earlier farm to become much more frequent in the
plantings
future. Coning from age 8-10.
Corsican pine Pinus nigra Lake-shore trees associated Surprisingly few wildings west of
with early homestead
SH80 (oldest seen aged 20). A shy
plantings
coner before age 20.
Scots pine Pinus sylvestris Short shelterbelt by yards – Only localised spread, mainly to south.
planted in 1970s
Coning from age 10+
Ponderosa pine Pinus ponderosa Shelterbelt by yards, plus A little localised spread. Coning from
homestead trees – planted in
1970s
age 12+. Not a major threat.
Radiata pine Pinus radiata Homestead plantings, plus a Very few wildings seen. Coning from
few old trees by Dusky site age 10+. Not a major threat.
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