PART B: THE PICTURE-PERFECT PINE PLANTATION
Hillersden Forest- a good example of environmentally friendly radiata forestry.
Vern Harris has a different slant on pine forests using a wine analogy. Saying Marlborough has too much pine is akin to saying it has too much sauvignon Warm, “but every industry needs its cash crop,” he says.
“It’s all very well saying there’s too much radiata, but in a lot of cases that’s the tree that grows and grows best.”
The forestry consultant with ‘Property & Land Management Services Ltd (PALMS) says planting decisions have to be made based on site and the objectives of the investor.”I don’t think we should cut off our nose to spite our lace. Having said that, I’m far happier as a forester working with people who want to plant other species.”
With 48 years in the forestry industry, here and overseas, Vern calls forestry an “easy target” because it’s so visible, but admits there are players who need to lilt their game.
The HilIersden Forestry Partnership (HFP), which Vern has managed since 1992, is apparently not one of them.
An entry in the Environment Awards, the 240 ha radiata plantation in the upper reaches of Wairau Valley drew not a single quibble from the judges: “The HFP block and its environmental management could not be faulted. It is well-considered, managed and an asset to the Marlborough forestry industry,” they said.
Dean Craighead - one of the happy Hillersden Investors
The project had turned erosion-prone, poorly producing and reverting land into “a well- planned and developed plantation forest”. HFP has 24 shares held by 16 owners in New Zealand, Australia, the United States and the Netherlands. One of them, Dean Craighead, says they are proud of the block, where decisions have been made with good stewardship in mind, as well as financial gain.
“It’s good for the community. The money is going to stay in Marlborough. That’s the good thing about forestry. You’ve got about 50 percent of it owned by small individual farmers, not the big companies, which is different to most places.
“Most of those people are long-term committed to Marlborough, so when that harvest happens, it’s going to flow back into the community. And I think now, as you see grapes start to wane a little bit - which is a shame - you’ve got this other income stream coming in.”
Prior to establishing the forest, areas of indigenous vegetation were identified and, where practical, protected during plantings, resulting in thriving riparian areas along the boundary creek.
The partnership has signed tip to the Emissions Trading Scheme and intends to spread the harvest over a number of years, rather than clear-scale harvesting, in order to minimise potential penalties.
Vern Harris - experienced environmental forester.
The block is also part of Marlborough District Council Vector pest control programmes, benefiting the native fauna and flora well as the production trees. On a community level, the block is open to horse riders and is part of a national circuit. Recreational hunters also use the area.
“At the end of the day, just because it’s a forest block, why shouldn’t we be good neighbours?” Vern asks. He rejects the term “showcase” to describe the block, saying it doesn’t differ in intent to any other he is involved in. “You try to maintain a standard regardless.”
For the rest of this article, please go to:
SEEING FORESTS FOR MORE THAN THE TREES
PART A: THE INTER-GENERATIONAL BOUTIQUE FOREST
SEEING FORESTS FOR MORE THAN THE TREES
PART C: ECOLOGICAL FORESTRY
Original Article written by Sophie Preece
Published in Wild tomato Magazine.
