Farm Forestry New ZealandNative softwood species (conifers) are notoriously slow to grow. These species include rimu, matai and miro, species that all produce high quality timbers from natural old-growth forests. Kauri, although faster growing than other native conifers and a species subject to a historical research effort including establishment of plantations in Northland, in recent times has succumbed to kauri dieback disease. Because this disease appears to be spread by wild animals and kills trees it come in contact with, the risk appears to be too high for timber plantations of the species.
The growth of native species is particularly slow in the establishment phase so can benefit by good weed control for at least the first few years.
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