Establishment practice on frost prone sites at kaingaroa forest new zealand
Washbourn, R.W.
New Zealand Journal of Forestry 23(1): 107-120
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 1174-7986
Accession: 005385374
Kaingaroa Forest [New Zealand] is located on an elevated inland plateau at altitudes in excess of 500 m. It experiences a cold winter climate, and frosts (which occur throughout the year) have a major influence on forest establishment practices. Most of the 1st-rotation crop at Kaingaroa was established in less than a decade from 1924 and, despite the use of frost-hardy species, 5% of the area remained unstocked owing to frost problems. Establishment of the 2nd-rotation forest commenced in 1946 on easy country, and it was not until 1964 that any serious attempts were made to establish or re-establish the higher frost flats and terraces above 610 m in the south Kaingaroa Forest. Radiata pine [Pinus radiata] was successfully established on cold sites up to 885 m and under extreme summer/winter frost levels of -4.5.degree. C to -14.0.degree. C. The species were not previously established on such sites. Trials showed that successful establishment requires: cultivation of the site prior to planting; the use of well-conditioned planting stock; planting no earlier in the winter than July; the positioning of seedlings on mounds or ridges wherever possible; and maintenance of a weed-free site for 2 yr following establishment.