Wilding pine problem at ‘tipping point' in Southland

RNZ News

2 days ago

Wilding pines pictured at Mid Dome, Northern Southland. The trees are causing major issues in the region.
Photo:
Environment Southland / Supplied
Wild conifer trees are running rife in Southland with fears some areas could be overtaken in the next 30 years.
The region is now at a "tipping point" as trees spread aggressively through high country, farmland and conservation areas, councillors have been warned.
These grizzly details were captured in an Environment Southland report presented to council on Wednesday, which one elected member described as "sobering".
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A species of concern was the Douglas fir which was reeking havoc for a number of reasons including the distance its seed could travel, a tolerance to the climate, and commercial popularity.
Its spread was accelerating at a rate which current investment and control could not keep up with, the report said.
"Without further intervention, vast areas of Northern Southland could be overtaken within 30 years, resulting in irreversible environmental and economic loss."
Productive land, native ecosystems and landscapes were all at risk because of rapidly spreading conifers - especially Douglas fir, the report said.
It noted that Southland risked passing a "point of no return" under its current response.
Meanwhile, costs rose by 30 percent every year removal was delayed, and the $24.6 million spent on the problem since 2016 could end up going to waste without follow-up work.
Councillor Eric Roy said the battle was being lost, and called for immediate action such as limiting where trees could be planted.
"This is one of the most sobering reports I've read in some time," he said.
Council chair Nicol Horrell said there had been conversations with Government ministers who were aware of the problem.
The Government had committed "quite a bit" of money as part if its shovel ready projects, but it would all be wasted if control work couldn't keep up, he said.
Mid Dome Wilding Trees Charitable Trust covers an area of more than 68,000 hectares in Northern Southland, and was one such example of a group struggling under reduced budgets.
The Trust aims to control wilding pines from the Mid Dome area before handing over the control of any wilding re-growth to landowners.
Last year, it expressed concern all of its work was at risk and called on the council to increase its funding after 18 years of stagnancy.
A series of recommended steps were included in the council report such as clarifying roles and responsibilities, securing long-term funding, and supporting landowners and community action.
Wilding conifers are invasive weeds that threaten to permanently alter New Zealand's landscapes, the DOC website states.
When conifer cones mature, they open to release masses of wind-blown seeds which can travel kilometres, according to DOC.
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