2012 May

MAY FIELD TRIP

The destination for our May field trip was featured in the December issue of NZ Lifestyle Block magazine. Tree Crop members Chris and Moira started with a bare block of 4.7ha on the shores of the Kaipara near Matakohe, 11 years ago.
They now have shelter belts, a commercial feijoa orchard, a large home orchard, native tree plantings, firewood plantations (Tasmanian blackwoods, poplars and Leighton Green cypress) and a "small" vineyard. As well as all their other interests they are enthusiastic winemakers, making wines for their own consumption from fruits and flowers and grapes, and winning regular awards at the Paparoa A&P Show. They will share with us their experiences of setting up a block and their knowledge of the feijoa industry.

When: Saturday 19^th May, 10:30am start

Where: Chris and Moira's, Metcalfe Rd, Matakohe

Bring: BYO lunch, drink, folding chair if you have one

2012 April

April field trip

When: Saturday 14 th April, 10.30 start
Where: David's home at Kahikatea Drive, (off Springs Rd, off Whatitiri Road).
What :

• Summer pruning of pip and stone fruit
• Potato/tomato psyllid

Bring: Secateurs, folding chair, your lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided.

We will start with the basics of summer pruning.

After the break for lunch at 1pm Robin will speak (approx 40mins) on tamarillo tree health (pruning etc) and also the impact the potato psyllid has had on the industry and the moves that are being made to deal with it. Robin and Heather have 3.5ha with 5800 tamarillo trees in three varieties. They have lost around 2,000 trees through psyllid related damage. The North American psyllid insect, which sneaked under New Zealand's biosecurity radar in 2006, has now carried its harmful bacteria nationwide threatening not only tamarillo crops, but tomatoes, potatoes, capsicums and cape gooseberries. We will finish the day with more summer pruning.

2012 March

National TCA Conference in Nelson 30 March - 1 April 2012

Registrations will close on 23 March to allow time for catering requirements.

Mangakahia Garden Club Garden Show and Market

GROW IT SHOW IT

When - Sunday 18th March 10:30am to 4:00pm
Where - Mangakahia sports complex, Mangakahia Road, Poroti
What - Garden Show and market, should be a good day out

We will have a stand at this event and will need plants to sell and help on the stall.

Plants which seem to do well are fast growing, modestly priced things like passionfruit, pepinos, herbs and ground covers.

Contact Grant to let him know how you can help, and what you can supply and to arrange pick up/delivery - we will need at least 4 people to man the stand in two shifts (2 per shift) from 10am to 1pm and the second from 1 to 4pm (closing time).

further details: www.mangakahiacomplex.org.nz/events

Field trip visit

When - Saturday 10^th March 10:30am
Where - Cliff's property, Tara Road, Mangawhai

Auckland members have been invited to attend
Old Stone House – Mangawhai
What: Cliff's property, Old Stone House Farm is situated on 32 fertile acres of fully certified organic land, with over 140 different kinds of fruit & nut trees, including many subtropicals.
Cliff normally charges a fee for guided tours but this tour is free for Tree Crops members. Any non-members will be charged $5, which Cliff is donating to Northland branch.
Carpooling update: Those that wish to carpool - we will be meeting at the Harvey Norman carpark at 9.00am leaving the carpark no later than 9.15am.
BYO: lunch, drink, a folding chair if you have one. If you have a fruit that you think may interest people, bring along a small sample for people to try.

2012 February

Budding workshop (pip/stone/citrus)

When - Tuesday February 14^th 10:30am start
Where - Grant & Jackie’s, Whatitiri Road, Whangarei

Guest demonstrator Colin Sanders (Sanders Nursery Whangarei) in conjunction with others will demonstrate the skills needed to bud fruit trees. Bring lunch, grafting tools etc.

Some local members have offered to accommodate people (to make it easier for distant members to attend). If anyone else can help this way or would like a bed for the night can they let us know?

One of the great advantages of belonging to the TreeCrops Association is the ability we have to pool our resources and so gain access to a huge range of scionwood/budwood. We are currently building up a branch data base of materials that members are prepared to make available.

• If you are looking for propagation material (budwood, scionwood, cuttings, seeds, etc) of a particular tree crop, let Grant know and we can circulate a list
• If you have plant material that you are happy to share, please also let Grant know, especially if you are able to bring it to the budding workshop or future activities

Milling

The plan is to do a portable sawmilling demonstration out Whangarei Heads way this coming weekend (Anniversary Weekend), probably Sunday 29 January 2012. If you are interested, please contact David Colley
Cheers, David Colley