New Zealand Treecrops Association

2004 Conference

Pre & Post-conference Opportunities - (archive)

Introduction

Take advantage of being in our region to see a little more of what tree croppers are doing here. Lingering a day or so post-conference seems to be the preferred option, perhaps allowing for a more relaxed trip home afterwards. However, some properties may be visitied pre-conference by prior arrangement.

Treecropper's Properties to visit

The great majority of Tree Crops members being hobby trial growers, we have a range of properties able to visited where crop interest typically rates higher than commercial value - at this time.

The properties volunteered thus far are mostly located towards Katikati, approximately a half-hour drive north-west of the conference venue. As most attendees will be using private transport, we do not intend to provide a coach. However, with the prospect of an interesting fig workshop at Ecoworks and for conducting tours around individual properties, adhering to our timetable will be recommended.

There is limited, comfortable self-contained backpacker accomodation available at very modest rates nearby for those who prefer a rural stopover.

Please be aware that on all properties, multiple hazards may exist. Wear sensible clothing and footwear. Bring no pets. Children must be supervised at all times. Let's all enjoy our opportunities.

Post conference - details - Monday 5 April 2004 (archive)

Destination - Fig Workshop, Ecoworks at 1:00pm

Suggested schedule - via Hidden Valley Orchard in morning; after fig workshop, on to Country Garden Tree Cropping - or any of the others...!

Allow at least an hour at Hidden Valley Orchard - a gem of a property. Much to see!
(Fill any extra time, if you start out early enough, from the extras list - perhaps chose breakfast out, or collect lunch.)

Pahoia
Monday 5 April - preferably morning
You are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy here before travelling on.
Hidden Valley Orchard is home of the author of 'Trees for Bees, Birds and Stock', which was written when the notes on developing the lakes and land were published as an inspiration and guide for others. Jan will available to show tree croppers some the results of her research and you can also buy a copy of the book from her.
This property of 60 acres (no we don’t think you’ll cover it all!) has 10 acres of kiwifruit, 80 established avocado trees and 20 newly planted ones. Four lakes with semi-tame mallard ducks and other various permanent birds such as kingfishers, swallows, herons, fantails, pheasants, quails etc.
The main aim here was the wildlife habitat and food supply plantings. There is a home orchard interplanted with herbs, flowers and shrubs to house and feed beneficial insects - but attracts mainly destructive rabbits and pheasants! Various other fruit trees are planted all over the farm for handy snacks where ever she may be working. The small Arguta (baby kiwifruit) block may still have fruit on for tasting depending on the weather and you may want to gather some for making into wine!
Specialty plantation blocks for timber include black walnut, pine, gum, chestnut, ash, leyland, syncarpia (turpentine), robinia, lusitanica. Included are many ornamental plantings, natural wildlife areas, "secret" forest walks and bush creek, bush walk by river.
Pheasant and bobwhite quail "rear and release" birds are tame and at present living around the house areas.
You are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy here before travelling on.

If you are at all interested in figs for Export or local production this is where to find some solutions.
Paul Casey of Delica Exports will speak on suitable varieties among other things and Stuart Rentoul of Kimbolton Nursery and Waikato Research Orchard will give pruning demonstrations.
There are over 40 named varieties of figs in this trial block which is part of Eric Cairns, Wellington Horowhenua Branch of NZTCA ongoing fig trials and also a temperature data logger site.
Many varieties come from the Eunice Smith collection.

As well as the Fig trial at Ecoworks you will find a collection of over 40 citrus varieties including the unusual Buddha’s Hand citron, a home orchard with as many fruit trees as can be fitted in, an olive trial of 10 varieties. In a small gully near the house are the “Lost crops of the Incas” and subtropicals. There are walks through the many woodland plantings, which also include collections of maples, oaks, ash and other rare and unusual trees. Self sufficiency was the aim when the land was bought 10 years ago so the passive solar home was built of pines milled onsite, and has other solar features and a wood fired Stanley cooker. Although only just over 3 ha this very mixed land type has dense plantings for quicker canopy closure (weed suppression) and trees are pruned (both by equipment and nature) for a future woodturner’s paradise.

You could park at Ecoworks then enjoy the walk through regenerating native bush or along an interesting road frontage to neighbouring lifestyle blocks (see below) which show what people have planted on their land and hear the reasons why. Learn how to use sidelings, land likely to flood or exposed sites to their best advantage. You can see Persimmons, Avocados, Black walnut stands, Pecans, Kiwifruit and gracious country gardens all within this small area midway between Tauranga and Katikati.

Janette and Arnold Sarchett
122 Work Rd
Aongatete

Colannade has a wide selection of trees including one of the earliest Andean Walnuts in the country. Juglans neotropica has great potential as a fast growing timber tree in NZ in a sheltered site. In autumn the colours of the various persimmons are a joy. Here too is a fig trial, many fruit and woodland trees and palms.
Take advantage of Janette and Arnold’s backpacker accommodation - 2 units with ensuites - in these lovely surroundings.

122A Work Rd
Aongatete

Also bordering Ecoworks in this avocado orchard with 50 medium sized trees kept in immaculate condition. A lovely track through woodland with Black walnuts and other trees
Backpacker accommodation also available - 2 units with ensuites and shared kitchen

Access through Ecoworks and kiwifruit lined drive. A delightful country garden used for concerts.

Pecan trees - several varieties. River flats which could flood.
1km from Ecoworks.

Katikati
Down a long drive off highway SH2 a country garden of about 2ha stretching out to include the borrowed landscape of the countryside with interesting plantings full of memories of friends and family. An abundance of old roses together with a mixed orchard with subtropicals just north of Katikati will also be available to tour.
Open Friday and Monday

Extras - Interesting places to visit:

• Tauranga Domain:
  Lovely old trees - on Cameron Road not far from Baycourt
• Old Cemetery:
  Full of history and trees
• The Elms:
  Historic house and gardens from Tauranga’s early days
  
• Strand waterfront Redevelopment:
  Redeveloped just recently. Bars and Cafes and gardens by the harbourside.

• Yatton Park:
  Old and unusual trees, eg olive trees from seed via soldiers returning from overseas.

• Mount Maunganui - If you have ever been to the Mount before you surely won’t recognise it now! The actual Mount is about the same with walks up and around but the beachfront has cafes and highrises. Boardwalk. Have a paddle.
• Salt piles from Grassmere. Only other site in NZ
• Matakana Island: Take the barge to here (day trip)
  
• Papamoa - Pacifica plants, cafe and interesting plants.
• Te Puke - a few km south of the town:
  Kiwifruit Country orchard tours and cafe, next to Vintage Auto Barn.
• Paengaroa - Comvita:
  Free showing on honey bee activities. Export manuka honey products.

• Kaimai cafe, on foothills a few km from:
• McLarens Falls Powerhouse and rock pools -
  Interesting site just before Arboretum.

• Decor, Cambridge Road, Bethlehem - garden centre but with good cafe.
  
• Mills Reef Winery, Cambridge Road, Bethlehem:
  Wine tasting in spacious grounds and all-day table service restaurant.
  
• Bethlehem hot bread shop, Bethlehem shops.
  
• Paradiso cafe - opposite McGregors fruit market, Clark Road, Te Puna rise:
  Small with big reputation - breakfast in a delightful leafy setting 10 mins from Tauranga.
  
• Cottage Nursery - Te Puna:
  John Kenyon specialises in Vireya but well cared for vast selection of other plants.
  
• Te Puna Reserve
  
• Waikaraka Estuary
  
• Te Puna Quarry Park:
  On a clear day you can see most of the BoP. Well worth a sidetrip. Signposted off SH2 just north of Te Puna. Some wondrous new plantings. Sensible footwear - walk off that breakfast...
  

• Titles Books:
  Huge collection used books for sale
  
• Rolling Cloud Pottery:
  Export specially glazed pottery. Irene Tuscia has done some of the murals in Katikati
• Landsdown Lavender & Cafe:
  Lavender and Bergamot oranges. Cafe?
• Kings Seeds:
  Usually open Fridays. Lots of interesting seeds. Display gardens?
• Katikati Bird Gardens:
  Birds in pleasant surroundings. Cafe?
• Haiku Pathway - Katikati Muraltown:
  A place for walking and reading the Haiku on boulders. Entrance edge Katikati town. Also throughout the town many historic Murals.
• Katikati main street restaurants of note include One Wild Chook; The Landing; and further north in a historic wooded setting the delightful Twickenham restaurant.

Further, towards Waihi, you enter the Waikato District. 'Bye.

http://www.treecrops.org.nz/bydate/conf04/postconf.html
Created: 2004 March 03 - Modified: 2008 July 11