Farm Forestry New Zealand

Trees on Farms Videos: Drystock

North Island

Far North

• Brian Simms, Kaitaia, Northland branch
  Brian Simms' farm near Kaitaia in Northland combines grazing with high value trees. Tree species planted include radiata pine, blackwood and silky oak (Grevillea robusta). Brian plants for erosion control…
• Doug Lane, Kaeo, Northland branch
  On this award-winning property plantings are for timber, aesthetics and to create a pleasant working environment. Trees planted on land that was marginal for stock have made stock management much…

Mid North

• Peter and Nikki Davies-Colley, Titoki, Northland branch
  On this 300-hectare sheep, cattle and forestry property, a whole-farm approach is taken - trees are only planted on land too steep or difficult to cultivate. Poplars are planted to…
• John and Christine Pedersen, Parakao, Northland branch
  The Pedersens have integrated livestock, woodlot and timber-line plantings; trees have been planted on the steepest, driest parts of farm. Main species are radiata pine and eucalypts. Trees have resulted…
• Peter and Pam Kelly, Dargaville, Northland branch
  This 300-hectare exposed dry coastal sand country is used for intensive beef production.40 ha of the worst land is in production forestry; 4-5 ha in shelter and amenity plantings have…

Lower North

• Audrey Hay, Riverhead, near Helensville, Lower North branch
  Audrey Hay's 80 hectare forestry and drystock farm at Riverhead, Helensville. Audrey discusses how plantings were planned on a farm which had very few trees when they bought it 25…

Waikato

• Gray Baldwin, Putaruru, Waikato branch
  Trees are integrated with dairy cows on the Baldwin's properties. Economic and environmental objectives are combined to maximise outputs from all land types on these intensively managed farms. The Baldwins…
• Tim Orlando Reep, Huntly, Waikato branch
  Trees in this high-rainfall area of the Waikato have been planted on the steeper slopes. Tim farms cattle and has learnt ways of integrating trees with them, and also maximising…

Waitomo

• Garth and Vivienne Cumberland, Te Kuiti/Piopio, King Country, Waitomo branch
  Early plantings on this property, now under new ownership, were along agroforestry principles. Garth discusses the pros and cons of agroforestry, and how ideas have changed. Trees grown on poorer…
• Barry Tatham, Piopio, King Country, Waitomo branch
  On this King Country farm, trees enable better stock management and improved cattle and sheep production on unplanted land.Trees also provide habitat for wildlife, improved water quality and secure water…
• Malcolm McKenzie, Otorohanga, Waitomo branch
  Trees are combined with dairy support grazing on this 57-hectare block, with trees occupying the steeper land. Malcolm grows top-quality blackwoods as well as poplar, cypresses and radiata pine. Markets…

Taupo

• Victor Clark, Reporoa, Taupo branch
  Victor farms deer, sheep and cattle on this steep property. Poplars provide cover in grazing areas and reduce stress, and improve management overall for the deer in particular; large areas…

Gisborne/East Coast

• Nick Seymour, Wensleydale Station, Gisborne branch
  Wensleydale demonstrates fully integrated trees and drystock farming - soil erosion control, diversified farm income, shade and shelter for post-shearing, and lambing and much more. Pine, poplar and willow, cypresses,…
• Grace and Ray Newman, Gisborne branch
  Ray Newman talks about his approach to growing trees on his highly erodible 600-hectare east coast sheep and beef farm, or which 100 ha has been planted in trees. Species…

Hawkes Bay

• Steve Wyn Harris, Marlow Hill, Hawkes Bay branch
  A 350-hectare drystock property with 34 hectares in forestry. Trees are mainly pine; also eucalypts, cypresses and a range of nut trees. Planting has been on steeper parts of farm…
• McRae Trust, Wairoa, Hawkes Bay branch
  This Trust-owned farm is set up to demonstrate best land use practices on east coast. hill land. Pine plantations are established on steeper, erodible land, plus there are widespread poplar…
• Alec Olsen, Valhalla, Hawkes Bay branch
  Trees play a big part on Alec's 300-hectare drystock rolling hill country property. Alec describes how his plantings bring multiple benefits including erosion control, shade, shelter, water quality, biodiversity, aesthetics…

Taranaki

• Jeremy Thompson, Makari Farm, Taranaki branch
  A 240+ha drystock farm planted with integrated woodlots and shelter plantings. Range of species including pines, cypresses, blackwoods and redwoods. A pioneer of Forest Research's 'Agroforestry Estate Model'. Emphasises the…
• Murray Peat, King Country (Taranaki branch)
  Murray farms a 300 ha steep to rolling drystock King Country farm with highly erodible soils. Plantings are predominantly eucalypts; also range of poplars, blackwoods and some pine. High-value species…

Middle Districts

• Denis Hocking, Rangitoto Farm, Bulls, Middle Districts branch
  Denis Hocking describes his farm forestry operations on sand country in the Manawatu. Drystock occupy the flats, while trees are grown on the sand dunes.Radiata pine does particularly well on…
• Don Tantrum, Rangiwai, nr Taihape, Middle Districts branch
  Don Tantrum's plantings comprise a wide range of alternative species, grown for multiple benefits. Species include black walnut, blackwoods, cypresses and eucalypts. Don has also harvested and milled many species…
• Dougal and Di McIntosh, Ratamarumaru Farm, Wanganui (Middle Districts branch)
  Large-scale farm forestry on steep, highly erodible and gorse prone Wanganui hill country. Innovative approaches to shared forest ownership have enabled the McIntoshes to stay on their farm. Some 400…
• Chris and Gwen Bossley, Whispering Pines, Ohau, nr Levin (Wellington Branch)
  The Bossley family established their forest on drifting sand on this coastal property in the early 1980s. Successful species are radiata pine and eucalypts. They are now harvesting the trees…

Wairarapa

• Peter Gawith, Longbush Valley, Masterton, Wairarapa branch
  Trees have been planted on this farm for many years to hold the hills in place; wide-spaced eucalypts were planted early on and now poplars and willows are planted and…
• Andy Pottinger, Annerley, Masterton, Wairarapa branch
  Rolling to steep hill country farm, with sheep, beef and forestry playing a major part on this large-scale farm business. Original plantings were for shelter, shade, soil conservation and aesthetics,…

South Island

Marlborough

• Chris Dawkins, The Pyramid, Waihopai Valley, Marlborough branch
  This is a 450 ha dryland sheep and cattle property, of which 60 ha is in trees. Timber, shade, shelter, soil conservation and amenity all feature in the objectives. 80%…

West Coast

• Susie Thompson & Rob Danford, Hokitika, West Coast branch
  This West Coast lifestyle property features challenging paki soils but Susie and Rob have planted a wide variety of trees for various reasons. A radiata block is for a retirement…
• Warren Smith, Greymouth, West Coast branch
  Warren Smith and wife Marilyn own two farms - a sheep and beef property which has been in the family for many years, plus a newer dairy block. Warren is…
• Jack Davidson, Aharua Valley, Hokitika, West Coast branch
  This small West Coast grazing and forestry block features a wide range of species including radiata pine, cypresses, eucalypts including ground-durable eucalypts, blackwoods, and poplars. Willows and poplar are grown…
• Glen Crickett and Catherine van Paassen, Hokitika, West Coast
  Glen Crickett describes the challenges of growing trees on paki soils near Hokitika. His property features Eucalyptus nitens grown for firewood and timber; blackwoods also feature, plus Glenn's new Peterson…

Canterbury

• Gary Fleming, Mt Grey Homestead, North Canterbury branch
  Gary Fleming describes his100-hectare property where over 650 species of trees have been planted on the three distinct soil types. Trees are grown for timber, for shelter of the deer…
• Dugald and Mandy Rutherford, Melrose, North Canterbury branch
  High country farm forestry at its best - the Rutherfords have 250 hectares of forestry, and are now into an annual harvest. Species grown include radiata pine and Douglas fir,…
• Tony Tripp, Snowdon Station, Central Canterbury branch
  On this 2000 hectare high country station, the original plantings in the 1970s were subsidised by the catchment board, with creating shelter the top priority. Four-row belts, two rows of…
• Robert Johnston, Ashley Gorge Station, Central Canterbury branch
  On this 1650-hectare hill country station trees were planted with catchment board subsidies in the 1970s, mainly shelterbelts to prevent soil erosion. Production forests came soon after, and native forests…
• Brian Dixon, Little Down, Rangiora, Central Canterbury branch
  Brian Dixon describes this 230-hectare drystock farm where trees were predominantly planted for shelter when large paddocks were sub-divided. Also small blocks of pine were planted on steeper land -…
• Martyn and Maree Bush, Birchwood, Ashburton branch
  Martyn Bush describes his 295-ha mixed arable and breeding and finishing property with sheep, cattle and deer on the Canterbury Plains. Shelter plantings are highly valued for animal welfare. No…
• Peter Winter, Ashburton branch
  This 220 hectare irrigated Canterbury plains farm is a specialist cropping and finishing property. Two-row, two species shelter plantings have been established with soil conservation a priority; however irrigation has…
• Ian Jackson, Hunter, South Canterbury branch
  Ian Jackson describes the role of trees on his coastal drystock property, where he is the fourth generation farmer. Douglas fir, eucalypts, and radiata pine are planted on poorer areas…
• Gary Dennison, Waimate, South Canterbury branch
  This hill block includes radiata pine and Douglas fir planted for investment and native species to enhance a walkway up to the Waimate white horse. Wetlands are also being developed,…

Otago

• John Prebble, Mount Blue, North Otago Branch
  In the 26 years the Prebbles have farmed at Mt Blue, they have established over 30 ha of mixed-species woodlots and shelter belts. Shelter has improved lamb survival; also pasture…
• Ken Stephens, Balclutha, South Otago branch
  Ken Stephens describes how, as a second-generation farm forester, he has carried on where his father Vic left off. The Stephens are now harvesting continuously so receiving a steady income…
• Ken Wigley, Glen Lyon Station, Southern High Country branch
  High country station where trees are valued for shelter and a better living and working environment. Ken Wigley describes a joint venture planting. Species include Douglas fir and pine. No…
• Bill Wise, Balclutha, South Otago branch
  Bill Wise has been planting trees for timber and shelter on his sheep and beef farm for 50 years on poorer, gorse-infested areas. He is now into the second rotation…
• Neil Cullen, Glen Omaru Valley, Balclutha, South Otago branch
  Neil Cullen describes his award-winning farm which includes sheep and beef enterprises, plantation forestry and native forest. Neil stresses the importance of good planning for successful forestry ventures, particularly thinking…
• Dennis Larsen, Clutha, South Otago branch
  Dennis Larsen describes his large-scale sheep and beef unit in South Otago. trees were originally planted for erosion control, shade and shelter, and then timber production - some 92 hectares…
• Eoin Garden, Avenel Station, Central Otago branch
  The Garden family farm this 2000 hectare hill to high country station, producing sheep, beef, and venison. Some 200 ha is now planted as shelterbelts and woodlots with shelter a…
• Donald Gordon, Crofthead, Milton, South Otago branch
  Forty hectares of trees have been established on this Otago sheep and beef farm. Key species are radiata pine, macrocarpa and Douglas fir. The earliest plantings (planted in 1981) are…
• Alan Roulston, Hillend, South Otago branch
  A 400-hectare rolling farm with sheep, cattle, outdoor pigs and cropping. Trees have been planted in riparian zones, for shelter, timber, wildlife, fruit and nuts, and aesthetics. Stock management, animal…

Southland

• Bruce, Catherine and Ben Winter, Spar Bush, Winton, Southland branch
  The Winters farm sheep; Bruce Winter discusses his shelter plantings, his approach to planting and managing young plantings, and how his shelter plantings benefit sheep production. A wide range of…
• Michael Anderson, Hokanui, Southland branch
  Michael Anderson has been planting trees for many years on this 490-hectare all-sheep farm. He now has 42 ha of woodlots, plus QE II covenants, shelterbelts and amenity plantings. Plantings…
• Ann Irving, Waimatua, Invercargill, Southland
  Anne Irving and her husband farm sheep and deer on this relatively exposed Southland farm where shelter is highly valued. Anne stresses the importance of establishing proven species for shelter…
• Stan Rutherford, Invercargill, Southland
  A small, intensive lambing unit, where shelter is vital for the high lamb survival achieved. Shelterbelts are carefully designed to minimise winter paddock shading while providing effective year-round shelter and…