Most Tree Crops interest centres around the main activities Events, Publications, and Research. Exceptional news is noted below.
NEWS RELEASE
(Gordon Lees, on behalf of the New Zealand Tree Crops Association, Auckland, 23/4/2008)
Fruit Driller Caterpillar has reached Auckland:
A new Australian insect pest, the guava moth (Coscinoptycha improbana) that in the larval stage attacks a wide range of fruit has now reached Auckland, according to entomologist, Dr John Clearwater. Dr Clearwater has been working with the New Zealand Tree Crops Association (NZTCA) to develop methods for controlling the extent of damage caused by this pest. He has identified the moth in two separate sites in Auckland after observing growth of caterpillars in feijoas. Dr Clearwater will carry out a survey of the spread of the moth throughout Auckland, with funds supplied by the NZTCA. Members of the public can help in this survey by collecting a random sample of 50 windfall feijoas from the one site, box them and send to Dr Clearwater at the address listed at the end of the article (don't just collect fruit that appear damaged). Name the site from which they were collected! Full article, more updates...
Conference 2008 in Cromwell was superb - more details...
Eastwoodhill Road Trip - ANZAC Weekend 2008
Friday 25 - Sunday 27 April 2008
Join the luxury coach from Hamilton (via Tauranga) to the autumn glory of Eastwoodhill Arboretum.
Now the National Arboretum of New Zealand, these 135 hectares of exotic and native tree, shrub and climber plantings contain the historic, rare and unusual (see www.eastwoodhill.org.nz).
Hosted by AS Tours, the trip itself will be an adventure.
Delightful lunches, sumptuous restaurants and quality accommodation in Gisborne are intermixed with stopovers at some very interesting tree cropping points of interest, and of course, a full day to appreciate and investigate Eastwoodhill.
This is no normal field trip but a unique opportunity to share and discover the horticultural delights of Poverty Bay in comfort, with friends.
Price is all-inclusive; including travel, food, accommodation, entry fees - everything except alcohol - and is expected to be less than $450 per person.
Details are still being finalised but we need an indication of numbers and places are limited so reserve your seat by contacting
Ann Clothier,
ph: 07 883 1160
Email relay
2008 1st Quarter
- Sadly, Joe Polaischer left us peacefully on 14 February 2008, after a brief illness.
With his plants in many people's gardens, orchards and woodlands, his memory will live on.
2007 4th Quarter
- Fabulous new Apple Reference - Nev Dawkins (Waikato Branch) shares his amazing apple growing and identification project
- ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme) announced by NZ Government locks up land of pre-1990 trees taller than 5 metres and 30% canopy cover - more details for Tree Croppers...
- Another great magazine issue - TreeCropper 51 (September 2007) - President's missions; editor's opinion (Surprise! They found that you are affected by what you eat...); Dr Robert Mann on Avocado cultivars; Pecans, Tamarillos, Pollination, growing timber, Campomanesia lineatifolia, nuts and hearts, from authorities including Paul Dodgshun, Nick Milne, Wade Cornell, John Prince, Alfred Harris; a Nelson Branch profile of Apples and more by Peter Syms; a Chilean (red) berry (guava it ain't)/murtilla/Ugni molinae/Myrtus ugni Tazziberry®©$(?) native commercialisation roundup by Andy Barratt; Gevuina status report by Murray Redpath with observations by Paul Kennel and Joanna Scott-Kennel; recipes - Marilyn Lees, Pablo Gálvez; for sale; and more...
- Figs - Eric and Annette Cairns featured on Radio NZ National recently - some recent fig articles
- A new initiative promoting New Zealand Wood - Our Most Renewable Raw Material - www.nzwood.co.nz
2007 3rd Quarter
From the Coastal Otago Branch NEWSLETTER No.120 June 2007
Robinia pseudoacacia
An article in the Scotsman comments on the spread of this tree and other plants in Scotland: "COVERED with pretty white summer flowers and widely available for only £35, the false acacia has become a popular addition to gardens across Scotland. But the rapidly growing plant - also known as the black locust tree - is part of an invasion of alien species which experts are now comparing to cult science-fiction novel Day of the Triffids." http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=826652007 The comments after the article also make very interesting reading.
The Overstory is a free e-mail agroforestry journal for practitioners, researchers, professionals, and enthusiasts. One issue is sent every two weeks focusing on a concept related to designing, developing, and learning more about trees and agroforestry systems. Each edition includes project development strategies, brief book recommendations, species highlights, internet links to helpful information for agroforesters, and much more. To subscribe go to http://agroforestry.net/overstory/index.html
Announcing a new service - Tree Croppers' Stuff - and Properties - For Sale!
An oldie re-gains web space - Q&A 2003 trial returns as a FAQ archive
2007 2nd Quarter
- announcing -
Eastwoodhill Road Trip - ANZAC Weekend 2008
Friday 25 - Sunday 27 April 2008 - see above
- This website moved to a different hosting provider during April 2007 - please report any usage problems to the link at the foot of this page.
- Featured Newsletter - Coastal Otago Branch No. 120, June 2007, Editor: Anne Dunckley
- The Story of the Apple - book review by Jim Dunckley
- Plums - An Introductory Guide by Andy Barratt - Mark Christensen's 2006 Apple Cancer Research Update
2007 1st Quarter
- Murray Redpath wins Dr Don McKenzie Award for his enduring efforts with Hazelnuts - (more soon...)
- Another great magazine issue - TreeCropper 49 (March 2007) - guest editorial by Tom Dinning no less; then NZ Olive industry updates; and orchard grazing, mowing, spraying - and mulberries, Japanese apricot, karaka, mangoes, sub-tropicals, walnut blight trials, book reviews and more...
Obituary: Graham Harris, in December 2006. Author and tutor of the substantial course at Open Polytech "Introduction to Tree Crops". See TreeCropper 51
.2006 4th Quarter
Alfred Harris is keen to run a stall at the Hamilton or Tamahere Farmers Market where tree crops and related produce would be sold. Items such as free range eggs and home made cheese may also be acceptable. He has linked up with Sylvia King who is currently running a stall with her partner at the Tamahere Market.
Alfred intends to test the market with a stall on Christmas Eve.
If you want to find out more about this proposal, or have produce to sell, Alfred would like to hear from you:
Email relay: Alfred Harris
Treecroppers - benefit by supporting your local Farmers Markets; organise your stall to sell your produce. It sounds like a good way of distributing produce that may be going to waste at your place with the added bonus of making a few dollars.
by Sheryn Clothier
TreeCropper editor
I recently came across yet another commercial orchard pulling out their fruit trees - saying it just wasn't worth it.
Not the first uprooted trees I have heard about lately, it made me pause to wonder.
Is horticulture/treecropping really not financially viable?
New crops/tree crops are a long-term gamble - just what are the odds?
I emailed Hon. Jim Anderton (Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Biosecurity among others), and asked if he would like to comment in this column about the future of NZ horticulture. Other than a short acknowledgement, his lack of reply is ominous.
Recently I also read comments from a Canadian-based major apple importer - decrying the demise of the wonderful NZ apple. Apparently others, and influential others, also find that good-looking but mushy and tasteless commercial apple a disappointment.
I do not pretend to be an expert, nor a soothsayer - but I know I am prepared to pay for good healthy food (to the extent that if I cannot buy it, I will join NZTCA, buy a patch a land and grow it myself).
And I think more people are becoming that way inclined. Perhaps not to the same extreme, but prepared to pay a premium for taste and quality, prepared to go to extra lengths to get food with high food value, minimal sprays, residues, waxes, additives and processing.
As our labeling laws make the consumer more informed, perhaps the days of large-scale operations being economic are over.
Maybe it will be diverse, local, fresh, high quality, high taste produce that is in demand.
I'll put my money on that.
TreeCropper December 2006
Obituary - Owen A G Long
7 September 1920 - 11 October 2006
by Ian Gordon
I first met Owen when we worked in administration at DSIR (Department of Scientific and Industrial Research - now defunct), Mt Albert. As a hobby, he was researching pecan nuts and I offered him the use of the land on our Titirangi property.
He had a great love for rugby, and coached and selected in Auckland and sat on various committees.
Before DSIR, Owen had managed a Bond and Bond store and noticed how bored some men became when they retired.
On that note I introduced him to the NZ Tree Crops Auckland Branch and he quickly rose to the top positions; National President (1986 - 1988), Patron (1996 - 2000), Dr
Don McKenzie Award winner (1990) and honorary life member. For a time he was also editor for the NZTCA contributions to the Growing Today magazine.
He travelled several times to America to bring in pecan varieties, and to Australia where the heat suited the crop.
Many people on the
150,000 lifestyle blocks in
New Zealand with various
crops would know of Owen.
On our consultancy trips,
Owen and I would have traversed
30,000 km together. He was a
natural leader, with great intellect,
confidence, humility and wit.
Owen had three daughters and treated me like a son. He will be sadly missed by many.
2006 3rd Quarter
Olive alert - 2006 September 21
An investigative team is in the Wairarapa looking at a olive groves for symptoms of a fungal disease called phoma incompta.
It is a little known disease in the eastern mediterranean, Greece,Turkey, Italy and Crete. There is very little literature about it.
It was first observed by a pruning contractor who suggested the owner get in touch with Biosecurity NZ. Symptoms are cankers growing on the stems and branches, some die back on the twigs but the leaves don't fall off and of course no fruit. It looks a lot like verticilium wilt.
It appears to be species specific and the variety affected in this investigation is Barnea.
It is spread by rain splash and pruning cuts so the advice to dip the pruner in bleach solution between trees is relevant.
Contacts:
NZTCA (interim) Email: Diana Loader (Past National President)
Biosecurity NZ: Email relay: George Gill
Biosecurity NZ web site: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/
Brian Sprigings died suddenly, 8 Sept 2006. Registrar for Bay of Plenty Conference 2004, his quiet efficiency and impish humour will be greatly missed. Our sympathies are extended to his wife Elizabeth and family.
Arden Andersen to lecture in New Zealand
More Information and online registration from www.bioagnz.com
See also Bay of Plenty Branch field day
2006 First Quarters
Stakeholder Update - High Value Crops: Issue 1 May 2006
Government funding for access to genetic material
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ) has obtained funding to develop diagnostic
services to access genetic material of high-value crops (such as apples,
grapes, kiwifruit and potatoes) from overseas.
The funding will initially be used to develop and validate the manuals
specifying the tests required to ensure imported material is free from
damaging pests and diseases. The first testing manuals developed will be for
Actinidia and Vaccinium seed and nursery stock.
Prioritisation for the development of future manuals will be in consultation
with stakeholders representing importers of plant and forestry species, and
existing Level 3 post-entry quarantine (PEQ) service providers. The
priorisation process is currently being finalised.
In future, the funding will also be used to develop and provide a
cost-recovered testing service for plants in quarantine. Currently, there
are no plans to use the funding to develop quarantine facility space, other
than that required to carry out transmission tests.
For additional information on the programme visit:
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/plants/standards/high-value-crops
Tree Crops 2006 Conference - Archive and Reviews - National AGM Reports 2006
Report on the Fig Workshop Monday April 10, 2006
by Dianne Edyvane, newsletter editor, Wellington - Horowhenua Branch April/May newsletter.
This was a real winner! 62 people registered for the day, coming to Upper Hutt from all over the country for this interesting and worthwhile adjunct to the National Conference.
Over the past twelve months Eric Cairns has put a tremendous amount of effort into organising the event and writing the excellent Fig Grower Manual. He and his wife Annette Cairns made the day a huge success, along with the excellent help provided by committee members Annette Furkett, Stewart Dixon and Arthur and Irene Hall.
Our thanks to them all for their hard work.
The formal part of the day was held at a church hall, then attendees moved on to the Cairns property to see various fig cultivars on the trees. The new megaphone was an asset there.
Annette’s afternoon tea featuring many recipes made with figs was a real hit. Fresh and preserved figs were also available for tasting and comparisons between types. The figs in the tray are third grade rejects donated by one member for sampling.
There will be a more comprehensive report on the day in the Tree Cropper magazine.
If you would like to buy a copy of the excellent Fig Grower Manual the price is $26.00, which includes packaging and postage. Contact Eric Cairns for details.
Eric Cairns
(Email)
National R&D coordinator for FIGS, NZTCA
2005
-
December announcement - To everyone with an interest in FIGS:
We are planning another 1 day fig workshop in Upper Hutt on 10 April 2006.
Downloads: Grower Survey form (.doc files).
There is also space for BUYERS of figs to let us know what they want, so please forward this form to the purchasers of your produce.
PLEASE, even if you do not plan to come to our workshop, we need the survey form filled out so we can understand the nature of the industry in NZ. The response and results of this survey will be important leverage to obtain funding from the likes of Sustainable Farming Fund. We need to show the depth and support of the local industry, so please let us know what you are doing.
Hoping to hear from you soon.
Eric Cairns (Email)
National R&D coordinator for FIGS, NZTCA
- October - Early Tree Crops President Ernie New passed away
- October - Treasurer sought - position filled in 2006 by Lawrie Stenhouse.
-
August - Treecroppers were stunned to learn of the tragic death of Ross Jamieson.
Ross served a term as national President in recent years, and had aquired a lifetime's knowledge of trees - from seeds to forests. And from coast to coast, as those who were priveleged to accompany him on a post-conference tour not so many years ago can testify.
Our deepest sympathies are extended to those affected by his passing.
-
Management Committee, Research Co-ordinators and Communicators meeting, late July 2005.
A host of issues regarding the clarification of goals, communication of information and co-ordination of efforts in general are sensed to have been substantially resolved during this important weekend gathering in Katikati.
With a revival of co-ordination between researchers and supporters, tree croppers can look forward to some wonderful work being revealed in our magazine "TreeCropper" from the latter half of 2005.
The research will be expanded in detail by links from the New Zealand Tree Crops Association's web site "Research" pages.
-
BUSH VITALITY - ASSESSED AND RESTORED (Archive 2005 March)
Horizons Regional Council invites interested persons to attend a workshop with joint presentations from Helmut Janssen (Horizons Regional Council) and Ian Barton (Tane Tree Trust).
Through this presentation Helmut will introduce his book "Bush Vitality, a visual assessment kit, managing the seasons for the years". This book is an easy to use visual assessment kit for anyone looking after a native bush site.
The presentation will focus on how to use the book followed with a practical demonstration conducted at nearby reserves. Attendees will need to make their own way to the reserves, directions will be provided.
Ian Barton will introduce the Tane Tree Trust and its objectives. He will also cover issues around growing native trees for a wide range of uses, including timber; and Continuous Cover Forestry - the recommended management system for planted native forests.
This invitation also extends to any colleagues or clients who you think may be interested in attending one of the workshops.
Natasha James
POLICY ANALYST RESEARCH SUPPORT
Bush Vitality Assessment Kit literature, more info...
2004q4 (4th Quarter October..December)
-
Sad news for Tree Croppers - Roland Clark died on 10 November 2004.
His funeral will be at 11 am at the Seatoun Presbyterian Church in Wellington on Friday 19th.
Roland was considered the founding father of NZ TreeCrops Association as it was him in large measure that galvanized a small group in Canterbury into action. This quickly led to nation wide activity exploring the possibilities of new crops from walnuts to babacos.
Roland was a great stickler for growing the best. I well remember discussing with him at a national conference on the merits of planting grafted walnuts. I got the message about quality, and was certainly spurred on by his enthusiasm. Writing as "Norwester" in the Farmer magazine every month, he inspired kiwi landowners, and aspiring ones like me, to think outside the square, and above all to give it a go.
Roland continued to inspire and motivate up until very recently. We can all be grateful to the legacy he has bequeathed us throughout the New Zealand countryside.
Nick Nelson Parker
2004q3 (3rd Quarter July..September)
-
It's the season for the application of harsh chemical sprays like Hi-cane® on export crops such as Kiwifruits to promote bud-break. This practise concerns many people, and the product is banned in many countries.
"As I write, High Cane is being sprayed arrogantly around the kiwifruit orchards. This spray is about as close to the original Concentration Camp Gas as spray-freaks are allowed to get..." opines one columnist [Healthy Options - September 2004 - P59 - Animal Detox].
I write this note sheltering inside on a sunny day as the roar of Hi-cane spraying drifts from a neighbouring kiwifruit orchard. I recall a moment when we moved here over 10 years ago. I had hopped over the fence to talk to our wonderfully helpful neighbour and he introduced me to the contractor who was taking over the responsibility of managing the kiwifruit orchard on behalf of a large packhouse. We said hello, then he drew himself up to full height imposingly in front of me and said "Now we are not going to have any trouble from you, are we?" Taken aback, I quickly decided to react as if it was some sort of rural joke, and back away merrily muttering some inoffensive platitude. He demanded my word that I would not interfere with the running of his patch; I think I said that I could not imagine why I would want to do that; indeed having moved to the Bay of Plenty to help in a supporting industry to the much admired kiwifruit initiative, it was the last thing I intended to do. I did wonder what the fool was on about or afraid of us objecting to. He stomped off; you meet all sorts...
The months went by and the incident faded in my mind until we noticed multiple instances of acquaintances in other aspects of life became absent for extended periods. When enquiring about their ill health I was given explanations like "Oh he runs an orchard and has become badly affected by the sprays..."; or "he lives near a kiwifruit orchard and is allergic to the sprays"; or "he is an orchardist and has some mysterious disabling illness that the doctors can't diagnose...". Not long after that our own health began to deteriorate, despite having moved from the city to the countryside with better health one of the goals. And the health of our some neighbours seemed to be getting even worse than ours. The symptoms - often a dozy, nauseous, run-down feeling and total lack of energy - could apply to many illnesses and were simply not specific to point to any one ailment.
We did all the usual gamut of blood tests; even had our mercury amalgam dental fillings replaced with modern white ones at great expense, went on detox diets and herbal homeopathic this that and the other. But the real breakthrough came when we chanced upon a FruitFed pamphlet about precautions for using Hi-cane and warning neighbours. We decided to make an effort to find out when it was scheduled to be sprayed, and to stay away from it. After a few years our health has improved markedly. Not that it has been an easy thing with at least four orchards nearby to find out when spraying is scheduled; we have had to remind landowner and contractor. That is, despite a local bylaw that requires neighbourhood warning - it is simply ignored by the contractors in our experience and the experience of most others who live near orchards. And the weather usually causes delays, but that's no excuse for not advising one's intentions to apply a corrosive substance where some spray-drift is inevitable.
The really frustrating thing about the whole issue is that the risk of so much ill health and subsequent ill-will towards the industry might have been largely avoided. The spray contractor's indifference to warning neighbours; rather their secretive and furtive 'sneak in and spray' approach, is doing them great discredit, and it serves them right. It's something frightening about the corporate world; where greed and egos group together, conscience goes out the window - profit is at stake. To my astonishment, even the old orchardists who suffered long-term damage from the chemicals they used still have a knee-jerk reaction of denial when questioned about it. The above people probably wonder why we have an expanding "Green" movement which seems to oppose all progress. Maybe the movement would shrink away if we all exercised our own conscience, instead of behaving as though we need to have conscience imposed upon us by government.
In the beginning the contractor's manager could have made an attempt to inform me rather than to intimidate me, and yep, we may have been unhappy about having that awful corrosive spray drift across our woodland tree plantings and us; but we would simply have planted an alternative to the eucalypt firewood lot which was decimated by Hi-cane; and for the sake of an industry which does the locality an overall good we would have been happy to vacate our land for one or two days a year when harsh chemical sprays are applied - rather than bury the family cat or dog, or risk a lifelong mysterious weariness with intolerance to alcohol, or worse.
What is the future for harsh chemicals such as Hi-cane? Some organic kiwifruit orchards have demonstrated that an excellent yield does not require the bud-break promotant, and as public intolerance of the side-effects increases a few orchardist reckon the chemical's seasons are numbered. I won't be sad if it is a small number.
Hi-Cane® information - Between bad media publicity and perceived kiwifruit industry furtiveness, a NZ distributor has responsibly made this information available for some time...
2004q2 (2nd Quarter April..June)
- Our Annual Conference for 2004 was held during April in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty. Reviews have appeared in our official quarterly magazine "The Tree Cropper" and various branch newsletters. It has been a busy time since then as harvesting winds down leading into preparations for winter.
2004q1 (1st Quarter January..March)
- 30 year anniversary - advance warning!
As spelled out in the "Tree Crops Association - beginnings" article on the first page of a recent Canterbury Branch newsletter, the first meeting of the National Tree Crops Association Advisory Committee was held on 31st July 1974. The goal of this group was to promote and co-ordinate tree crop research throughout New Zealand. In April 1975, this group decided to form NZTCA in the form we know it today. The first AGM of NZTCA was held in April 1976.
The Canterbury Branch committee is organising some events in late July to mark 30 years since that historic first meeting of the Advisory Committee. Further details will appear in the next Issue of the newsletter.
- Feb 2004 - Storm fallen trees? Valuable timber salvage guidelines...
- Branch Innovations Fund announced!
- January 2004 - An exciting new initiative!
...To encourage branches to establish innovative projects... Read more...
2003q4 (4th Quarter October..December)
-
Katikati Advertiser, 7 October 2003:
PAHOIA Estate olive oil was awarded 99 points out of 100 to win gold at the New Zealand Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards in Blenheim.
The Western Bay of Plenty oil won a gold award in the boutique medium class, as well as the best in show boutique on September 27 against competition from the established olive growing areas of Marlborough, Gisborne, Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay.
Guest judge, California-based international olive oil expert Roberto Zecca, gave the "incredible" olive oil 99 points out of 100 - the highest score he has awarded in his 15-year career as a judge...
Pahoia Estate is a Conference 2004 attraction... Read more, Pahoia Estate - OLIVE OIL AWARDS
2003q3 (3rd Quarter July..September)
- Waimea nursery have just contracted to graft a seedling of Meyric grown on the property of Diana and Walter Loader.
One of 60 seedling Meyrics now fourteen years old, the selection, to be named Diana, weighs 14 grams compared to the 7 gram parent. It nuts promiscuously and heavily. It must be more blight resistant than the grafted Meyrics and other top grafted varieties in Wanganui conditions and 1.2 m annual rainfall, because it out-performs 140 other similar aged trees in those conditions for yield and the quantity of top quality nuts. The crackout rate is 48%.
The Diana Meyric selection will be trialled in the Van der Tol North Island trial and at Cheddar Valley. Grafted trees will be available from Waimea nurseries in two years time.
It is likely that seedlings from the grafted walnut orchards crossed with other top named varieties will yield a new generation of superior trees, and the rare seedling will exceed its parents. Who will have the courage to plant a hundred seedlings for the chance of another exceptional nut? Another treecropper of course.
Diana Loader - Fri, 12 Sep 2003
- Hortdays [was www.hortdays.co.nz] kicked off with an impressive variety and quantity of trade displays, at Tauranga's new Baypark Stadium on Thursday 4 September. Despite moody weather there was a moderately busy attendance from early on - it was a pleasant change to easily talk to vendor representatives who were almost impossible to access in the crush associated with the National Agricultural Fieldays.
Organics suppliers abounded; greenhouses, irrigation, data-logging, worm-farming, wood handling and tree tools - they were all there in and around the welcome shelter of big marquees - plus the usual displays of immaculate machinery such as the Trimax range of serious mowers, made here in Tauranga.
Touchwood Books is one display that is always difficult to bypass without becoming engrossed, and the informative display of weed species by Environment BOP Regional Council was presented with a cheery countenance. It was most encouraging to spend some time at the interesting HortResearch stand.
It was difficult to imagine any horticultural-associated service that was missing out on this opportunity - except for, ahem, the New Zealand Tree Crops Association...
- A modest tribute to Mary Banks, who passed away Friday 1 August 2003.
Were there any areas of our association Mary didn't serve in?
National Treasurer, then Membership Secretary, just in recent times.
And a long stand-in as National Secretary, or any other job that needed doing.
Anchor-pin; straight-shooter; mine of information and encouragement.
Always wanting the best outcome for us, ever scrutinising and astute:
"When Mary thought it necessary, she had a way of jabbing one's 'Re-think' button..."
Deepest sympathy to Don and family. A few photographs...
2003q2 (2nd Quarter April..June)
- Annual Reports are worthy of careful study by all tree croppers; as a roadmap for where the association is heading, and how the personalities elected to our national management committee plan to go about it.
- "...I have learned a lot about human nature and the dynamics of working with people that have very different perceptions about what makes for a successful team..." President's Report
- "...all those branches and individual members responding to the Northern Region appeal for research funds enabling every other fruitgrower in warm areas to prevent the spread of the fruit driller (Guava moth)..." North Island Vice President's Report
- "...The new Strategic Plan, developed by Management Committee over the last year, emphasises links with kindred organisations as being a way forward..." South Island Vice President's Report
- "...more research being done by branches...the enthusiast that pushed, encouraged, found out, and got stuck in to a new crop...we need to progress from just knowing how to grow new crops, and know how to add value..." Research co-ordinator's Report
These reports were presented to the Annual General Meeting during the highly enjoyable 2003 Conference in Dunedin recently, hosted by the Coastal Otago branch.
2003q1 (1st Quarter January..March)
- NZ Walnut Industry Group (WIG) Conference [and AGM] dates are Friday 20 June - Sunday 22 June 2003.
They have a 6 page information pack with all the detail people would need to know. Included in this pack is:- Conference overview - 1 page
- Conference program - 3 pages
- Accommodation options - 1 page
- Map showing accommodation locations - 1 page
- Registration Form - 1 page
2002q4 (4th Quarter October..December)
- The first meeting of the Taumaranui, Taupo, Turangi Sub-Branch of Waikato and Thames-Coromandel Branch was held in November 2002. 17 people met at Don Dempsey's farm, Lower Retaruke, Owhango, near Taumarunui - Read more...
Don's farm was an excellent place for our first visit and the group look forward to a field trip to Taupo in February 2003. - New diagnostic laboratory for honey bee viruses
HortResearch wants to discover how many of the 14 known viruses of European honey bees are present in New Zealand and which of these are likely to become economically important now that the varroa mite is here [was www.hortresearch.co.nz/media/news/item/pr0128.htm]. - 6 December 2002 - Hedgehogs have been confirmed as significant destroyers of native bird eggs and chicks from the many species that nest near the ground. If your Timms kill trap terminates the odd hedgehog instead if its intended bigger relative the possum, perhaps you needn't feel so badly about it. A recent study has shown that the cute spiky little immigrant, like almost every other small quadraped brought into New Zealand in recent centuries, lessens the well-being of our unique indigenous bird varieties. While the hedgehog's nocturnal munching of snails and slugs around our ground crops is probably helpful, it comes at a price that we may not be happy to learn about.
National Radio [was at www.radionz.co.nz/nr/f-nr.htm] - 15 November 2002 - Renowned Tree Cropper and Farmer, Mike Smith, has died. To many treecroppers, Mike's passion for demonstrating the benefits of combining pastoral farming with trees for fodder, nutritional supplement and drought survival - was legendary. In 1999 he was won the Don McKenzie award for his work promoting the benefits of tree cropping to the environment. Perhaps most of all, Mike will be remembered by many as a warm and sharing person with a determined and deeply enquiring nature.
- 15 October 2002 - OUR WEBSITE IS ONE YEAR YOUNG - Happy Birthday to us!
- Discussion - Genetic Moderation - Sunday, 20 October 2002 - "The Royal Commission recommendation that Genetically Modified crops might be grown safely in field trials after October 2003 remains of deep concern to many people..." Read more
2002q3 (3rd Quarter July..September)
- Hi-Cane® information - Between bad media publicity and perceived kiwifruit industry furtiveness, a NZ distributor has responsibly made this information available for some time...
- Wanted - Coppice Poles, especially sweet chestnut, preferably Waikato area; by experienced demonstrator of greenwood crafts with a particular interest in traditional coppice crafts - full details...
- Southern Woods Nursery, long-time NZTCA supporters, recently launched a stunning new retail web site that sets the standard for on-line tree buying. It also provides helpful data on many aspects of planning for tree cropping.
Have a look at www.southernwoods.co.nz
2002q2 (2nd Quarter April..June)
- Blacklisted weeds selling over internet. Read more...
- 27 May - The guava moth, another unwelcome insect pest from across the Tasman, is likely to spread quickly from Northland to the rest of New Zealand, causing yet another headache for fruit and nut growers... Read more...
- Organic pipfruit research goes holistic - [was www.hortresearch.co.nz/media/news/item/pr0105.htm]
- FRUIT-DRILLER CATERPILLAR THREATENS FRUIT HORTICULTURE
A new insect invader from across the Tasman threatens to produce widespread damage to fruit tree crops in New Zealand. The guava moth (Cosinoptycha improbana) first began to attack tree crops in Northland about 3 years ago... Read more... - Tree Crops award for Gail's huge effort. By Lesley Board
...Gail is the first woman ever to take the unique trophy home from the association's national conference... Read more... - Honeybees in a Mite More Than Trouble - The United States has been losing 80 percent or more of its wild honeybee populations to a pair of tiny parasites. (Margaret Thomas - The Washington Post)... Read more...
- Tree Crops in Schools - an exciting new project seeks newer members!
If you are concerned that the average Tree Cropper might be tending to resemble our major award trophy, then please consider expanding this project - to interest younger souls in our goals... Read more... - Horror weed thrives in Bay of Plenty - Kudzu outbreaks
An invasive vine that is a major and costly pest in the United States has taken root in the Bay of Plenty... Read more... - Trees used as effluent sponge - [was www.hortresearch.co.nz/media/news/item/pr0104.htm]
- Plant Quarantine Facility - [was www.hortresearch.co.nz/media/news/item/pr0102.htm] HortResearch urges grower commitment
- Experimental antidote for 1080 successfully trialed - [was www.hortresearch.co.nz/media/news/item/pr0103.htm]
Earlier News
Launched May 2002