One Tree Hill summit project
New tree planting proposal
<< Back to New tree planting proposal main page
4.0 Conclusion: the proposal
After analysis of arboricultural, archaeological, cultural, and visual/landscape considerations, the options for new planting have been refined to a single
proposal. The application for resource consent has been drafted in accordance with this option.
The Council has indicated that ideally planting should take place during the winter planting season of 2001. The objective is to satisfy the 'sense of need'
to plant the summit following the removal of the last remaining pine tree in October 2000.
Preferred option
The preferred option is to plant 10 pohutukawa seedlings, 5 of which had self-seeded in the shelter of and at the base of the former lone pine tree. In the
one to two years subsequent, a similar number and size of the totara would be planted as a secondary species in the multiple planting design. This option would
address the strong cultural and historical significance that both species have with the summit.
It is considered that this option, although for smaller trees that will take some years to achieve landscape significance, will have the most likely chance
of growth success given the difficult environment with which the tree must become accustomed.
Shelter for the seedlings by way of a mixed planting of other suitable, small and short lived, native plant species is proposed for around the perimeter of
the planting zone. This planting will provide 'natural' shelter that will nurture the growth of young trees. Due to the site characteristics (very exposed
with little soil nutrients) it will be essential that additional artificial shelter be provided around the periphery of this planting. A new cage will also
be required.
In anticipation of new planting being required, Council's arborists have sourced plant stock of both pohutukawa and totara from the immediate maunga and
surrounding area. The reason for selecting this plant material is that it is of outstanding quality and is culturally appropriate, emanating from the maunga
itself. Unfortunately due to the earlier than anticipated demise of the lone pine, only the pohutukawa are sufficiently advanced to permit planting this
year.
Although the time for preparing the plant material has not been ideal, because of the earlier than expected demise of the previous pine tree, only some of
plant material is sufficiently well advanced to permit planting to occur this season. The remnant pohutukawa seedlings , retrieved from the pine before it was
felled, and the best of the pohutukawa material can be planted this year.
Totara plant material will not be sufficiently advanced for planting until the subsequent planting seasons. The inclusion of totara can therefore take place
at a time when the shelter and selected pohutukawa have started to establish.
In practice, the planting period will not be a single event, but will extend over at least two seasons. Planting will be followed by an arboricultural
nurturing process including any necessary replanting to ensure the establishment and success of a new landscape tree. For this purpose additional selected plant
material from the parent pohutukawa and totara trees will be further prepared in a nursery for any future replanting.
The proposal allows for a process of natural selection to occur in promoting the succession of the new tree over the following 10 to 20 years. It is envisaged
that through this selection process the sustainability of the new tree at the summit will be ensured.
Other options considered
The option of planting only pohutukawa seedlings was considered. However, the option of planting two species and allowing a process of self-selection was
preferred, to address historical and cultural issues.
The option of transplanting a semi-mature tree to the site was also considered. This option is not recommended for a number of reasons including:
- low chances of survival/thriving in the exposed summit conditions
- difficulties of transplanting within the limited planting area given the protection required for the valuable archaeological features.
- absence of locally sourced specimens of a suitable form and size
- high costs of supporting and nurturing semi-mature tree
- doubts that a semi-mature tree transplanted to the site would acquire the same cultural significance as a seedling that grows and matures across several
human generations.
Note: A final specification for planting is not detailed in this report. This will be dependent on the outcome of the resource consent application and will be
covered in a Planting and Maintenance Programme expected to be required as a condition of the resource consent.
