New Zealand Tree Crops Association

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PLEASE respect our generous hosts' property and other visitors' peaceful attendance. Bring NO pets.
Beware of health and safety hazards which may exist - children must be supervised. Bring sturdy footwear and suitable clothing. Let's all enjoy our day!

This list of events is typical of what you can attend to learn about tree cropping.
Events are announced by your local branch newsletter, included in your membership fee.

Branch Activities - Field Days & Meetings

Safety Declaration: For the purpose of fielddays, the properties we visit are designated work places.
As there are multiple hazards, please take particular care. Parents are responsible for their children.

Copyright Statement: Articles in this Newsletter may be reproduced in New Zealand Tree Crops publications, provided that credit is given to the New Zealand Tree Crops Association, to the source and to the author concerned.

Disclaimer: Whilst all care has been taken, NZTCA accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published.

2011 April

1-3 April 2011; NZ TREECROP ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE - Edible Landscapes

A celebration of diversity across our Hawke's Bay region.

2010 September

Next Committee meeting - you're welcome to participate
Thursday September 2nd 7pm at Centre for Land and Water, 21 Ruahapia Road, RD2, Hastings

2010 July

20th July Tuesday 7pm - NZ Treecrops Association Hawke's Bay Branch Meeting

The Green Shed, Centre for Land and Water, 21 Ruahapia Road, RD2, Hastings

25th July Sunday 11.30am - MID-WINTER LUNCH - The Cider Tree Cafe

The Filter Room Ale & Cider House, Awatoto Rd, Meeanee, Napier

Come join your local fellow Treecroppers for a warming mid-winter lunch at The Cider Tree Cafe.
Award winning chef Richard Wards has created a menu to provide a flavour enhancing foil for the Filter Room's ales & ciders.
Enjoy a cider tasting at the adjoining brewery and tasting room – all in a lovely rural setting.
The Standard Lunch menu has two vegetarian choices and prices range from $12-$24.
For more information, check out their website at www.thefilterroom.co.nz.
We will start with a short tour of the cider orchard which has cider apple trees, newly planted nectarines and an older orchard.

Please confirm your attendance by calling Nikki

2010 June

23rd JUNE; CARBON WORKSHOP IN HAWKES BAY

M.A.F. is running a Carbon Forestry Workshop in Hawkes Bay relevant to land and forestry owners. $30 per person, includes GST & workshop materials, lunch and morning tea.
The workshop will cover species choice for carbon forestry; factors that determine potential returns, carbon markets and trading, mitigating or managing risks and case studies.

Presentation by staff from the New Zealand School of Forestry - Dr Bruce Manley, Dr David Evison, Dr Euan Mason and Dr Mark Bloomberg, together with Piers Maclaren, Registered Forestry Consultant. A Programmes Advisor from M.A.F. will also be present at the workshops to outline and answer questions on the processes and requirements for registering for the ETS and related schemes, how to claim carbon credits and where to go for information or help. For information contact Julia Simmons.

2010 May

30TH MAY; RESTORATIVE PRUNING WORKSHOP

9.30am to 12.30pm

Chris Ryan and Clare Buckner will lead a Restorative Pruning Workshop at The Beehive Gardens, Norton Road, Hastings.

Cost $10 per person Treecrop Assoc.H.B. member / $15 non-members. Numbers are limited.

This event is being run in conjunction with the Sustaining Hawke's Bay Trust.
Make your booking with payment by contacting Marion Thomson either by Email OR Telephone
Or in person = The Environment Center, 220 Russell Street, Hastings 10am-4pm Monday-Friday

Wet or Fine event. There is shelter (in case it rains) for those wanting to take a picnic lunch.

Clare says; Beehive is an awesome place, with great examples of a wide range of productive trees, probably the biggest hazelnut orchard in Hawke's Bay plus at least fifty varieties of apple, the same of plum, a few pears, quince, walnuts, chestnuts, berries, its all there.

Sustaining Hawkes Bay says; Beehive Gardens is a beautiful setting with a variety of heritage fruit and nut trees including apples, pears, apricots, citrus, feijoa, walnuts, chestnuts etc ....Expert tutors Chris Ryan of Top Trees fame and Clare Buckner of Te Koha Orchard fame will be showing techniques of pruning for shape, health and productivity. This workshop will be very useful to those who have fruit trees in their back yards that could be healthier and more productive.

2010 April

Field Trip – Trelinnoe Farm, Saturday 24th April 2010; - Guided tour between 10-12pm

Where = Trelinnoe Park: Napier to Taupo Road, 45 minutes from Napier (46km). Old Coach Road on right, watch for the Trelinnoe sign.  For further information  www.trelinnoepark.co.nz
 
What = Trelinnoe Farm is part of the NZ Poplar and Willow Trust, has more than 6000 trees and won the 2008 Farm Environmental award.  There are many points of interest including shelter plantings, erosion control work and extensive QE11 covenants all of which will be covered in the guided tour.

How = To enable us to explore the vast area in the morning, 4 wheel drive vehicles will be needed.  Please contact Nikki if you can help by taking some passengers in your 4 wheel drive vehicle.
 
Lunch = Following the tour, you are invited to lunch in the Trelinnoe cafe – if you wish to have lunch at the cafe, please contact Nikki to make a reservation. 

Explore = Following lunch guests are free to explore the park’s 30 acres of exceptionally varied collection of trees, shrubs and perennials with landscaped woodland paths, sweeps of lawns, clipped hedges, hillsides of flowering trees and spectacular vistas.

BRANCH MEETING - 20th April Next committee meeting – 20th April at the Green Shed, Centre for Land and Water, Ruahapia Road.  If you are interested in helping with the 2011 National Conference 'Edible Landscapes'  then please come along.  We will also be tasting apples and figs!

Small Block Field Day - Saturday 10th April 2010. 8.30-4pm

Showground Hawke's Bay, Kenilworth Rd, Hastings

Hawkes Bay Tree Crops will be there … Can you join us?

The Hawke’s Bay A&P Society is hosting the 2010 Small Block Field Day. There are over 40 exhibitors, and HB Tree Crops is one of them. This is a fine opportunity to promote our local group and explain what we do. We are also hoping to grow the group, encouraging some new members.

The committee would like your help:
Can you provide any unusual (or usual and beautiful) tree crop produce for a display?
And / Or
Come and socialise on the day – be on the stand for an hour or two to fly the flag and chew the fat with young, old and potential tree croppers.

A variety of other exhibitors ensures you will get many benefits from being there on the day. View a list of exhibitors at http://www.hawkesbayshow.co.nz/images/stories/here.pdf
Please telephone Phillipa if you can offer some time &/or produce

2010 March 25^th ~ 28^th —

2010 NZTCA NATIONAL CONFERENCE - Christchurch - more details...

2010 February

Sunday 21^ST February 2010 at 10am. Wet or Fine.
An hour of Gingkos
at Corner Howard Street & St Georges Road, Havelock North
Looking at growing and harvesting Gingkos with John.
Followed immediately by, just a short distance away ...........
An hour of Figs

Helen and Murray live on a small block on Napier Road just out of Havelock North.
Their interest is in summerfruit with a commercial cherry and nectarine orchard, however they are developing their Figs with a view of using these as both a fresh crop and also for preserving, bottling, and freeze-drying for the domestic and export market.
They have a variety of other tree crops, more for interest than for commercial viability.
Helen & Murray say you're more than welcome to stick around afterwards and have your picnic lunch on their deck, which overlooks the Karamu river.

HAWKES BAY TREECROPPERS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Tuesday 16^th February 2010 at 7pm. AGM with Drinks and Nibbles.
The Green Shed, Centre for Land and Water, 21 Ruahapia Rd, Hastings.

2009 December

Sharing experiences of successes and failures in Hawkes Bay Tree Crops -

Sunday 6th of December, 10am
Roger's place, Wakarara Road, Tikokino
Roger has kindly invited us to view his property where he has experimented with many crops and is happy to share stories of failures as well as success.
Olives, elderberries, Italian alders, tree lucerne and bird haven.
Where? South from Napier/ Hastings on Highway 50, past Tikokino and cross the Waipawa River. First turn right is Wakarara Rd. Alderwood is on the left, 7km from the turnoff.
Bring a picnic lunch to munch afterwards.

ROGER WHITE, ALDERWOOD, WAKARARA ROAD, TIKOKINO

Great weather on the day greeted members and their families plus a surprise visitor from Opotiki the esteemed Murray Redpath. Our host Roger White walked the talk for a very interesting and pleasant field trip on 6 December. All photographs within this newsletter were taken at Alderwood.

Alderwood is 9 acres of free draining sandstone gravel, situated at 1100 feet up in the Ruahine foothills, with a view down the valley for 40 miles. The rainfall of 40-44 inches. Roger White is an amateur ornithologist, a self professed bird fanatic, and has been working this property on his own for 13 years. The first year there he concentrated on researching possibilities for the site, which on purchase contained a modest garden around a house. Roger described Alderwood's tree crops as not organic, but as spray-free.

Several notable quotes Roger used regarding his "Theory de Roger" on growing Treecrops .....
Ask why & why not. What happens if I don't. Everything works in together. Learn by taking away ideas to your own place and using them.  Invent as you go along.  Treecrops members do real live research which is available to all members .......
– read more, in the January 2010 Newsletter, members-only PDF file...

HAWKES BAY TREECROPS TREES IN SCHOOLS

RESEARCH FOR A REPORT
Once the 2010 school year gets underway Phillipa and I intend to do research on the outcomes of the Millennium project that Roger White initiated, Hawkes Bay Treecrops Trees in Schools. When our research is complete we will write and present on the project, with the aim to achieve this by autumn 2010.
For a broad historical perspective I have trawled through all the H Bay Branch newsletters and meeting minutes that we have inherited, searching for any relevant information.
If any member wants to be involved in inspecting and analysing the successes &/or failures of this project in Hawkes Bay Schools then please make contact with Phillipa Page.
If any member or participant in the scheme have anything they wish to contribute to this report I would be very pleased to receive it, preferably in written form, either by email or post.
                Jenny Horne & Phillipa Page - from TREE CROP HAWKE'S BAY NEWSLETTER - November 2009, members-only PDF file...

APPLE, THE TREE

by Clare Buckner

Apples have always been near to me. As a child I would spend summer holidays with my grandma in Dorset, usually messing around with ponies but often helping in her garden. As a young mother she'd had a five acre orchard on the Isle of Wight and had continued growing a wide range of productive trees after moving. I would be sent up the trees for picking, and pruning when I got bigger, and the fruit would be stored in a special cupboard with slatted shelves to allow good air movement. Her favourite was a Russett, mine currently Liberty but always open to new ones. My mother carried on the apple growing habits, even my brother in North London, with a tiny section and semi has a Cox on his front lawn.
As you may know our modern apple has originated in the wild fruit forests of Kazakhstan where apparently apples as good as our fancy varieties can still be eaten. Over generations, as with most produce, the best fruits were selected and so our modern varieties have developed . Apple remains have been found at Jericho in the Jordan Valley which were dated at 6500BC, but whether they were gathered from the wild species further North, or from husbanded trees we cannot tell.
However, apples were certainly being cultivated in the Eastern Mediterranean by 2500BC and it is the oldest cultivated tree in Europe. As well as having a myriad of beneficial attributes including strengthening the whole metabolism, stimulating blood production and balancing the digestion, apples have a rich and meaningful mythology. They feature in several Greek Myths, notably in the tasks of Heracles when the hero needs to fetch apples from a tree guarded by the ever watchful dragon Ladon. They can also be found in fertility and marriage customs throughout Western Europe and are usually a symbol of life and eternal youth.

Now I know apple is one tree I will never be without. I think part of their appeal is their extraordinary habits – grow a pip and you will create something completely new, if you don't like that you can graft it to anything you fancy, how handy! I am also completely smitten on their appearance – so varied, so voluptuous, the blush, the curves, just begging to be eaten. But perhaps their magic is truly revealed when you cut one across its middle – look carefully and if you are lucky (and the flower was properly pollinated!) there, imprinted in the middle of the fruit you can see a perfect copy of the flower.
- from TREE CROP HAWKE'S BAY NEWSLETTER - November 2009, members-only PDF file...

2009 October - Welcome Back!

SUNDAY 18TH OCTOBER, 10am
GUTHRIE SMITH ARBORETUM, Tutira
A chance to view and learn about a wide variety of trees, including a range of nuts that can be grown in Hawkes Bay. Chris Ryan will be there to show us around and share his knowledge.
Gold coin entry donation — Carpooling is available

TUTIRA FIELD TRIP, GUTHRIE-SMITH ARBORETUM

A detailed report of our branch field trip to Guthrie-Smith Trust Arboretum & Outdoor Centre "Tutira" will be printed in the National magazine TreeCropper, so I won't repeat it here. If it transpires that they need to edit it for space I will include it in our next branch newsletter.

We were most fortunate to have the skilled toptreeman, local member Chris Ryan, as our tour guide. As a consequence of Chris's site experience, those who were there came away with new knowledge and fresh ideas on not just trees that crop (of which the arboretum has an extensive and expanding collection) but on all manner of interesting trees. The weather behaved itself and we had a good turnout - 20 members and 10 non-but-hopefully-prospective members, and even a visitor from Wellington, who wrote ............

We really enjoyed our trip to the Guthrie-Smith Arboretum. This is an inspiration to those of us who plant trees like this. Its good to see your branch operating again and the enthusiasm of your members both new and "old" is obvious. The wisdom and good humour of people like Mary and Thelma keep us all going. Chris is following his dream and the community not only in Hawkes Bay but the rest of New Zealand is better for it. These people are the mainstay of The New Zealand Tree Crops Association and there are a few like them in each branch. Conference is where you meet some of them. Thanks you for making us feel very welcome.             Jennifer Hutson ........

How to join up. If you wish to become a Friend of the Guthrie - Smith Arboretum, then simply post a $15 cheque to Guthrie-Smith Trust, C/- BWR, POBox 146, Hastings. Include your name, postal address, telephone number, email address. As a member you will receive a newsletter advising open days and activities, and be able to visit by consent. A whole years involvement for just $15!.
Jenny Horne, from TREE CROP HAWKE'S BAY NEWSLETTER - November 2009, members-only PDF file...

 

CHAIRWOMAN'S REPORT - 2009 September

Greetings Fellow Tree Croppers and Enthusiasts
Hawkes Bay Tree Cropping is alive and well, with an abundance of variety in the region and much knowledge to be shared.

We have a newly gathered committee whose goal is to re-ignite communication around the region and increase our membership. We plan to provide plenty of opportunities to learn, share and socialise through regular field days and workshops.

The first event is the Arboretum tour in October, a wonderful opportunity to be inspired by the vast range of trees, including a range of nuts, that can be grown in Hawkes Bay. Chris Ryan will be there to show us around and share his knowledge.

We have a raft of options for further events and we are open to your ideas – if you have, or know of, a great site to visit or a workshop topic to explore please let us know. And if you have a burning question please send it in and we will do our best to find the person(s) to answer it.

Hawke's Bay Tree Croppers have been invited to host the 2011 Tree Crops Association conference. We will rise to the challenge! Here is our time to showcase Hawke's Bay in all its growing glory. If you have ideas and actions to contribute jump in and join the committee.

The committee door is open – more keen people please! We are specifically on the look out for a willing and able person to fill the role of treasurer. Long term treasurer, Ron Mather, is leaving us for greener pastures. We look forward to hearing tall tales on his return.

Please sit back and enjoy this newsletter. It is wonderfully compiled by an amazing one woman effort. Thank you Jenny Horne for getting us back in print. Readers, it may be you she is chasing for contributions in the near future. All contributions gratefully received.

From TREE CROP HAWKE'S BAY NEWSLETTER September 2009, members-only PDF file...

 

A DON McKENZIE MEMORIAL?

by David Cranwell.

This artical is based on a letter written to the late Jeremy Dwyer in his capacity as Mayor of the Hastings District Council. The object of the letter was to background a case for the establishment of a permanent memorial to a man who during his life did so much for so many people without seeking personal gain. As you will have learned from Sheryn Clothiers' tribute to "Dr Don" (TreeCropper Issue 55 September 2008) Don McKenzie was a humanist and visionary, he was way ahead of most of us in the way he saw the need to assist others on the planet.

No one achieved more in assisting the change from local industry to internationally competitive export sector than the late Dr Don who was a researcher and plant breeder at the DSIR/Hort Research site in Goddard's Lane, Havelock North from 1958 until retiring in 1984.

Dr Don saw the need for new varieties and building international relationships. But possibly most important of all, he redesigned the traditional old multi-leader tree into an efficient single leader tree. This revolutionised the way in which apples were produced., resulting in greater volumes of high quality fruit per hectare than ever before. Dr Don had a vision, he loved the industry, and he was a real friend of Hawkes Bay, turning down promotion to remain in the area close to the growers. His old laboratory now stands forlornly on an empty piece of land where the DSIR orchard used to be. If there ever was a chance to do something to remember one of the industries innovators and characters, his lab should be rescued and turned into a small working museum. Many people would work to make this happen, if given the opportunity.

The Letter ............

Dr Don McKenzie is the man who, it could be argued, did more for the New Zealand pip fruit industry than any single person. Don was a truly international person believing that sharing was the way to a better world, commercially he was probably viewed as off the track but that did not worry Don, he just kept on with his beliefs.

The personal effort and funds he put into strengthening New Zealand's links with China are known, but testimony of their respect was the size of the delegation from their Embassy who attended his memorial service in Havelock North. The links that I had with Dr Don went back to the mid seventies, strengthening in my professional capacity as NZAPMB Product Development Manager, although we never really agreed on his philosophy on giving / sharing new material, I certainly respected him for his passion to help others.

There is a wonderful opportunity that will soon disappear for Hastings to remember one of their sons in a positive manner. The office / laboratory of Dons is still in existence, but sits forlornly for sale on the old DSIR/Hort Research site in Goddard's Lane. Once sold, the building will most probably disappear.

In 1992 I put a proposal to the Management of the NZAPMB and Hort Research that the building be saved by the addition of an accommodation unit used for the use of visiting Scientists with the proposal gaining approval from both Boards. To cut a long story short, there were delays [ENZA management] causing the funding to lapse. The rest is history, the pipfruit industry went into decline precluding the chance of funding for such proposals.

The publicity that Woodville received over their Gotfreid Lindaur project rekindled my interest in the Don McKenzie project.

The Don McKenzie building could be relocated to a more appropriate site with the involvement of many sectors of the community. I am sure that support would come from all corners of the globe once people knew of the plan. There is still much of Dons material in existence, this could be housed in the building. The building could be set up as a working Museum with regular displays of new fruits, Chinese, Japanese, American etc. Roy Peacock had been most enthusiastic about the concept, suggesting that it could be manned by the Friendship Society personnel, adding that it could be a wonderful addition to Landmark.

The planting plan around the building would include many of the species that Don had introduced and planted outside his office. The building was shaded by the most magnificent Black Walnut which individuals [philistines] within Hort Research had removed. I would recommend that another Black Walnut be planted, Don loved the tree and on a typically hot Hawkes Bay summers day he would sing its praises saying that he had the best and most efficient economical air conditioning unit in the world.

I have spoken to many individuals about the project, and what is required now before its too late is a driver who appreciates Dr Don McKenzie's legacy to New Zealand, especially the China New Zealand Friendship Society. I would be happy to discuss the project further with anyone who is interested.

David Cranwell RD12, Havelock North

Reference: Dr Don by Sheryn Clothier, TreeCropper, Issue 55, September 2008.

 

 

– Tree Crops Hawkes Bay was in recess for some months –

 

2006 Annual Conference of NZ Tree Crops Association

When:	2006
Where:	Wairarapa!
Details:	'Cultivating Biodiversity'

 

December 2002

When:	Saturday 14 December 2002 at 11am
Where:	Mary Marshalls's property, Kopanga Road, Havelock North
What:	Field day - Christmas Get-together Mary has a wide selection of fruit trees some of which are - bananas, avocados, cherimoya, citrus, macadamia, babaco, and tamarillo. Visits will also be made to one or two adjoining properties.
Bring:	a plate of simple finger food, sweet or savoury - drinks will be provided.

 

May 2002

When:	Sunday 19 May, at 11am
Where:	Flag Range Road, off Fernhill-Taihape road
What:	- to see what can be done with the trees that have not performed to date. Some trees are the same size as when planted 5 years ago, so something needs to be done this winter. Bring your lunch and secateurs!

 

2000

Trees in Schools project - a Hawkes Bay branch initiative!

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Hawke's Bay Branch of the New Zealand Tree Crops Association.

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Created 22 Feb 2002