On 13 July our own Richard Bowman presented a very informative account of the Wilding Pines issue in the Wakatipu and beyond. Richard began his career as a Geologist serving time in mines in South Africa. Returning later to N.Z he later became involved in Biosecurity in posts with the Invercargill City Council and Environment Southland. This is where his interest in the wilding pine issue became a key interest and role.
Pinus Contorta, Douglas Fir and Corsican Pine are the most problematic in terms of growth and spread but so too are uncontrolled Pinus Radiata, Scots Pine and Larch. Richard showed photos of Mid Dome (south of Athol) comparing the landscape back in 1998 with the proliferation of wilding pines in 2015. The impact on land is reduced grazing for animals (reduced stock) which in turn affects the economics of farming animals. Wilding pines also suck water out of the ground thus affecting our waterways. He also highlighted the improvements achieved in Sawpit Gully behind Arrowtown with photographs.
The negative effect of wilding pines on the N.Z. economy, over the next 50 years, Richard estimated at $6.3 billion. The Wakatipu Wilding Conifer Group spent some $6m, from funding made available, eradicating the pest locally in the last year.
Richard's dream is that the Wakatipu will, in future, comprise tussock grass country devoid of wild tree afforestation. He challenged Queenstown Rotary, as a project, to adopt a 1 hectare plot on Bob’s Peak and to eradicate growing wilding pines therein.