New Zealand Tree Crops Association

Extract: Why this booklet was written

"Green Guide" introduction

When we first bought our piece of land we had a vision of growing something. But what? We read and researched and couldn’t believe the numbers of books and other resources often need to find out just some basic information.

So here is a collection of basic facts on more than 65 crops that will grow in New Zealand. This book does not replace the Fact Sheets already published by NZTCA [NB In 2006 Fact Sheets were withdrawn from sale pending revision] but is more a guide (or dream) of what you could grow. All these plants are available in NZ – some may not be at all suitable for what you want, or where you live. Some are not actually trees but have money making – or eating – or other useful potential.

Tree Crops is not just about growing trees but covers a multi-tier concept. Why not grow something in the space where your main crop is developing? Many of the trees, which are planted for amenity reasons too, can be pruned up to make a suitable timber tree. Furniture makers do not require very long, or often very thick pieces.

The categories used are:

Common Name Name commonly used locally.
Botanical Name The binomial system with the genus followed by the species name, in Latin, recognisable world wide.
Family Classification of plants based on characteristics of flowers, fruits and foliage.
Zones Area where the crop will probably do well. You may have a microclimate that will be suitable for trees considered outside the range. It is not an ideal system, and cause for much debate but it is included as an approximate guide.
Description A brief description of the tree with its likely height – if not pruned.
Climate The climate the plant is likely to do well in.
Soil The type of soil and pH preferred.
Flowers & Pollination Where the flowers are, what they look like, when they bloom and what makes them turn into fruit.
Crop What the end result is. And how long it could take to get there.
Harvest The time of year to reap your reward.
Uses What to do with it when you harvest it.
Market Can you sell it or will you have to find your own niche?
Notes Bits and pieces that didn’t fit in the above.


Some of the crops listed also have separate FACT SHEETS (Crop Guides) with more detailed information, especially regarding planting procedures and spacings, nutrient requirements, pruning techniques, diseases, varieties or cultivars. These are updated as new information becomes available and are obtainable from the Publications Officer.

It would be impossible to make note of all the people who so kindly gave their time and knowledge to help in this booklet so a grateful thanks to them (often their names are on the specific Fact Sheets as contacts or contributors). A list of publications I used as references or enjoyed reading is also included.

Happy Cropping!

Gail Newcomb, Technical Editor, NZTCA (June 2000).

Booklet format - A4 sized, 77 pages, spiral-bound for ease-of-use

To Buy - order title "Basic Notes - Tree Crops in New Zealand" - back to purchase here...

Contents of Basic Notes booklet:

WHY THIS BOOKLET WAS WRITTEN
INTRODUCTION
SOME QUESTIONS ANSWERED
A LOOK at CLIMATE
A BASIC GUIDE for EASY CARE FRUIT TREES
PRUNING BASICS
A GUIDE FOR RECORD KEEPING
ALMOND
AMERICAN PAWPAW
AVOCADO
BABACO
BANANA
BEE TREES
BLACK LOCUST
BLACK SAPOTE
BLUEBERRY
CAPE GOOSEBERRY
CAROB
CASANA
CASHEW
CASIMIROA (White Sapote)
CHERIMOYA
CHESTNUTS
CHRISTMAS TREES
CITRUS
COPPICE
CORK OAK
EASY CARE FRUIT & NUTS
ELDERBERRY
EUCALYPTS
FEIJOA
FIG
GEVUINA
GINKGO
GUAVA – Cattley
GUAVA – Tropical
HAZEL
HONEY LOCUST
INGA BEAN
JABOTICABA
JACKFRUIT
JUJUBE
LONGAN
LOQUAT
LYCHEE
MACADAMIA
MANGO
MOUNTAIN PAPAYA
MULBERRY
NASHI
OLIVE
PAPAYA
PAULOWNIA
PECAN
PERSIMMON
PINE NUTS
PISTACHIO
PITANGA
PLUMS
POMEGRANATE
POPLARS
QUINCE
RAISIN TREE
SHELTERBELTS
SUGAR MAPLE
TAGASASTE
TAMARILLO
TRUFFLES
WALNUT – Andean
WALNUT – Black
WALNUT – English
WILLOWS
REFERENCES and MORE INFORMATION
LISTING BY BOTANICAL NAME

To Buy - order title "Basic Notes - Tree Crops in New Zealand" - back to purchase here...
 

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http://www.treecrops.org.nz/knowl/cropbook.htm
Friday, 29 November 2002 - Updated: 2006 September 18