Hi Tim. I'm home late from work and have been reading yours and Colin's blogs.
It's a hard issue to fight, says me with 30 cabbage trees, 2 cherry,a walnut,
many pittosporum, apple, fejoa, lace bark, ribbon wood, roses and the drop
dead looking psuedophanix in my garden along with any number of house and hedge
sparrows, thrush, blackbird, red poll, magpie(I'd kill him if I had a chance),
wax/silver eye, puwhakawhaka/fantail, parrot (mine), hens (mine, though they
don't know it) and yes, on occasion, the beautiful Bell bird. And I live on a
1/4 acre section in the heart of Linwood. I have zillions of hover flies,
drones, pray mantice, stick insects, the agony raspberry moth, magpie moth, and
so on ad infinitim. Hedgehogs gallore.
Yet I work in the beautiful Port Hills, amongst the stunning bush and superb
views at the Sign of the Kiwi. There in the garden is nothing!!!! but dead,
because the Parks Unit of the CCC has sprayed and killed it all. I picked up
dead baby geckos the last time they sprayed. Gone are the sleak skinks, the
thorny spininger stick insects. Dead and dying are the kowhai that the Kereru
feed apon. Check out the dying trees in the carpark! I held the dead baby
kingfishers that fell from their nests the last time they sprayed the banks on
Dyers Pass Road, the best place for them to live. Sprayed apon over and over
the dreaded broom. Has the CCC not noticed how they have let it get so out of
control!! Gone are the Grey Warblers - the CCC Park Ranger cut down the trees
that Harry Ell planted for them, so he could dry his washing. The Shining
Cuckoo came and looked for them, but also left. I watch the beautiful Kereru
looking for the Pine tree planted in the saddle of Dyers Pass 150 years ago,
that the Parks Unit of the City Council chopped down because if may produce the
odd wilding pine. Hello, McVicars has 50 million Pines in Cashmere Valley, but
oh wait, if the council brought them for 6 million they would get all the
carbon credits, and fantastic mountain bike tracks, oh well that's alright
then! So why chop down the oldest tree in the forest, when nothing was wrong
with it? It's because someone decided that it should go!
Colin's right Tim. Native trees, if let to grow, will open up and you will have
your clear walk back. Don't panic. The native birds live happily beside the
exotics. You will just have to watch that the Bellbirds don't kill the Fantails
and the Magpies don't rule the roost as is happening now on the Port Hills. We
see the Kereru and that magnificant raptor, the Australiasian Hawk, challenged
by them regularly. If you want more of these big shitting birds in the city
plant Tree Lucerne, it is their favorite. Oh and yes be warned, the CCC Parks
Unit will chop them down when the birds are feeding on them, just check out the
trees at the 'Kiwi. Spayed and chopped down. Have you seen the Miro or Totara
in Ahuriri reserve? They are awesome arn't they Colin? We can meet there if
you like, I know where there is some rare...... But I don't want the CCC Park
Rangers to know. They'll probably trap them, tag them, and eventually kill
them. Do it sooner rather than later because the CCC has got out its poision
pot and if they get there way they will kill it all. Just look at the loss of
Silver Tussoc on Sugar Loaf!!
I love the Ernie Clark Reserve, I took my kids there to get away from it all.
I say, don't let the Park Rangers get a hold of it, they're sure to kill every
last bug and weed, and while the trees will look good, whatever they are, every
thing else will be dead. I would carry my secatuers in the reserve with me
Tim, and prune back the lower branches of the natives, it will push them up and
let more light in, check out Wilson's Walk on Coronation Hill and you will see
what I mean. It won't do them any harm. I think that you need to look at the
loss of Silver Tussoc on the Port Hills Colin , it is alarming.
rom: <email obscured>
Rest of post
> To: canterburyissues@forums.e-democracy.org
> Subject: Re: [Canterbury Issues] Ernle Clark Reserve - revisited
> Date: Thu, 3 Dec 2009 20:50:10 +1300
>
> Oh yes, thanks Colin. I remember your comments now.
>
> While most are valid comments, the fact is, the native birds are
> increasingly finding their way into the city already. As you pointed out,
> the bellbirds are already here - though not enough. I do hear the occasional
> grey warbler, saw one in our back yard the year we moved into the area....
> but since then my partner has cut down most of our native shrubs and trees!
> The Kereru... well, they are pretty rare around here, but I was surprised to
> see one in the exotic trees planted down Fisher Ave one day. Tuis will
> arrive once they have settled the hills overlooking Cashmere - but that will
> be a long time coming because they have to settle most of Banks Peninsula
> first. Weka.... I don't think many people would appreciate them in the
> city.... Red-crowned parakeets... they just won't come back - too many
> bloody cats and probably the same with the little yellowheads.
>
> I haven't heard any cuckoos in the area - do we have any? And I miss
> moreporks. However, they seem to have been chased away by the little owl -
> and the lack of decent bush.
>
> Obviously, increasing native bush around the city will help attract native
> birds.
>
> However, just because we live in the far corner of the world does not mean
> we have to forgo sparrows, starlings, thrushes, blackbirds et al. Taking an
> argument that these birds are not native therefore should not be here is
> akin to saying we should not have dogs, or cats.... or sheep, or cows...
>
> Setting aside a small parcel of land that was deliberately planted as
> "woodland" will make no difference to the native and endemic fauna of
> Christchurch. It simply is not large enough.
>
> I happen to disagree with your comments about the suitable mix of natives
> and exotics in an area such as the Ernle Clark Reserve. I think the mix
> looks odd - though I admit the native grasses etc at the edges are OK.
> Taking your argument, you'd be happy with sycamore growing within our native
> reserves? (Which, sadly, I have observed....)
>
> What the powers-that-be decide to do with replacement plantings in the
> Botanic Gardens is OK with me - because they are looking at planting
> "specimen" trees. This is not the intention behind the native plantings in
> the Ernle Clark Reserve.
>
> Harking back to our cultural roots and South Pacific heritage and all
> that.... So, where is the crime in having a sample of English woodland? Do
> you mean we should not have a sample of a Chinese garden? Or a Japanese
> garden? (For the benefit of members of the forum, I should point out that
> some native plants DO feature in our Chinese garden - but they are planted
> in the manner of a Chinese garden - and they are token plantings)
>
> Incidentally, if any forum participants happen to live on Ashgrove Tce
> opposite the Ernle Clark Reserve.... I hasten to point out that the giant
> poplars growing along Ashgrove Tce are not part of the reserve. Ashgrove
> residents have to sort out what they want to do with them with the CCC - I
> wish you luck!
>
> And it comes down to the point I first raised, the reserve is seen by users
> as a clear and safe walk. With the dense native plantings taking over, the
> perception of a safe, clear walk will fade - and the path was constructed to
> be used as a walkway, not as an ark for the re-acclimatisation of a wide
> range of native birds.
>
> So, what do others on the forum think?
>
> Let us hear your comments!
>
> Tim Kerr
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Colin Meurk" <<email obscured>>
> To: <canterburyissues@forums.e-democracy.org>
> Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 12:30 AM
> Subject: Re: [Canterbury Issues] Ernle Clark Reserve - revisited
>
>
> > Tim - thx for the reply - just in case u didn't see my original rather
> > lengthy post, I repeat it below:
> > Cheers
> > colin
> >
> > From: meurkc Date: Oct 26 23:06 UTC Short link
> > this is probably a bit of dead issue now tim? but have been meaning to
> > respond. just been a bit busy.
> >
> > you have raised concerns (from memory) regarding mixing native and exotic
> > spp
> > at ernle clarke and esplanade reserve, and 'danger' of dense undergrowth.
> > a
> > few points to bear in mind:
> >
> > nz's lowland biodiversity and natural habitat is under huge threat.
> > introduced
> > european deciduous trees and what are now weed species like ivy, holly,
> > sycamore, yew, elderberry, tradescantia (wandering willy), aluminium
> > plant,
> > periwinkle, honeysuckle, etc, dominate; together with exotic birds such as
> > blackbirds, thrushes, sparrows and starlings - which are special and
> > endemic to
> > europe, south america etc. where they flourish and are certainly not
> > threatened. [having said that there have been apparently alarming declines
> > in
> > sparrows in UK recently].
> >
> > this is nz - and we have a duty to preserve our unique points of
> > difference and
> > especially to look after our biodiversity. no-one else can. our species
> > are
> > not just different (high level of endemism), but in some cases are also
> > ancient
> > forms which are ancestral to major groups of birds, plants and insects of
> > the
> > world. so we have a big responsibility.
> >
> > we also have a diverse colonial history. all our historic layers can be
> > regarded as valid - geological, post-glacial, polynesian-tangata whenua,
> > colonial, post-colonial, and now perhaps developing some nz-aotearoa
> > synthesis.
> >
> > christchurch's parks, reserves and streets are dominated by 'english'
> > trees and
> > many are reaching the end of their lives. these have an aesthetic quality
> > which
> > we can all enjoy, but I don't believe all our green spaces should be
> > dominated
> > by exotica - at least there should be a mix [these have been termed
> > recombinant
> > ecosystems] or dedicated examples of each. it has been proposed that at
> > least
> > 10% of 'noble' trees in hagley park should be replaced, as they die, with
> > totara, matai, kahikatea, kowhai etc (not just the green fluff of hebes or
> > small tussocks around the edges!). this would not only convey to citizens
> > and
> > visitors that we are in chch, canterbury, nz but it will hugely enhance
> > the
> > food quality of the chch urban forest for native wildlife. we don't have
> > squirrels, and rodents love the dry seed of exotic trees. on the other
> > hand,
> > most of our native trees produce berries and/or nectar that our birds and
> > lizards require for a healthy diet. probably one of reasons for increase
> > of
> > native bush birds in chch over recent years has been the increased
> > woodedness
> > and range of fruits available - over the past 150 years.
> >
> > bellbirds are now common along the ernle clarke area and grey warblers and
> > fantails occur, but also kereru. hopefully tui will make a comeback once
> > they
> > are again well-established on banks peninsula. but they will need good
> > food
> > resources.
> >
> > our parks and estates (like ernle) were planted with english trees over a
> > century ago because of nostalgia, familiarity and just not knowing better.
> > we
> > DO know better now. but in any case, the old estates generally had a
> > 'native'
> > section and along the esplanade towards cashmere rd there is a century old
> > grove of kahikatea, totara, kowhai, broadleaf, etc.; and the kahikatea are
> > regenerating near these stately trees.
> >
> > in 1990 (sesquicentennial) and 2000 (millennium) local communities and
> > schools,
> > with council blessing, planted open spaces within the esplanade with
> > native
> > trees. some of these have now grown up beautifully - pokaka, kahikatea,
> > titoki, totara, matai, hinau etc and in recent years a local community
> > group
> > has been continuing this work by adding native ground ferns and some novel
> > understorey shrubs - some with lacy foliage like Coprosma rotundifolia and
> > Coprosma areolata, and vines like nz jasmine and clematis. we have also
> > planted
> > more totara and kowhai on drier sites and kahikatea in wetter places.
> > there are
> > over 50 different native plant species whereas 20 years ago there were
> > mainly
> > only self-colonising native trees like karamu, lemonwood/tarata,
> > kohuhu/black
> > matipo and cabbage tree.... but also interestingly a now quite rare cutty
> > grass
> > along a tributary stream.
> >
> > but most of our work has been battling the serious weed problems that
> > smother
> > out natural regenerative processes - ivy, stinking iris, onion weed,
> > blackberry, honeysuckle, and most recently a large tussock sedge (Carex
> > pendula
> > from europe but apparently recently originating from otahuna). there is
> > now a
> > more natural litter layer developing and with the ferns will encourage
> > native
> > insects, mushrooms, etc.
> >
> > another benefit of clearing these dark green ground covers and small trees
> > is
> > that it lightens the understorey and improves visibility through the
> > woodland.
> > as trees grow they will also lose their lower branches and visibility will
> > increase further. this should allay fears about 'stranger danger'. in
> > fact
> > there has been a bit of a mania about this in chch in recent years largely
> > stemming from a former city councillor - pat harrow. this was a knee jerk
> > reaction that is detrimental to nz's nature and natural processes (once
> > the
> > light gets in then weeds go berserk).
> >
> > regarding safety, it is important to note that police records show that
> > most
> > assaults don't occur in such places, but generally in OPEN public places
> > (or
> > sadly in the home!). of course, no one should wander on their own in dark
> > secluded places. I have walked thru here at dusk and continually looked
> > over my
> > shoulder! unfortunately, the reality is that we all have to take
> > precautions
> > for our personal safety. clearing out the undergrowth will not affect the
> > danger at all - only the perception. having a steady flow of traffic is
> > the
> > greatest deterrent to anti-social activity.
> >
> > going back to the issue of mixed vegetation. there is now a well
> > established
> > landscape aesthetic involving native and exotic species in interesting
> > combinations - and indeed native species in new associations (plant
> > signatures). it will be a matter of personal preference, but there is
> > nothing
> > intrinsically objectionable to the idea, in cultural landscapes like urban
> > and
> > rural envts, of mixing elements. our cities are already full of such
> > novel
> > combinations. the main criterion from a sustainability perspective is
> > that the
> > exotic spp are not biosecurity risks and preferably are beneficial as well
> > (eg
> > the gum tree provides nectar for honey-eating native birds), and some
> > deciduous
> > exotic trees produce soft spring foliage eaten by kereru.
> >
> > so it is hard to predict centuries into the future, but a forest of
> > totara,
> > matai, kahikatea, pokaka, hinau (reminiscent of riccarton bush) and tree
> > ferns
> > mixed with oak, elm and ash, brimming with native wildlife maybe what
> > future
> > citizens will be able to walk through and visitors will come to see as a
> > unique
> > 'gondwanic' experience blended with ghosts of a nearly forgotten colonial
> > era.
> > a mature nz-aotearoa culture will surely have embraced the special imagery
> > and
> > symbolism of this place and used this to demarcate and differentiate us in
> > a
> > global context - contributing to identity, nationhood (and the reason
> > people
> > come here to visit).
> >
> > our work group meets every 4th saturday of every month (next saturday as
> > well
> > because of labour weekend just past) at 4pm (3pm after day-light saving
> > switches off) at or around the studholme street footbridge. all are
> > welcome to
> > help with weeding, planting and just learning about the natural and
> > cultural
> > history of this beautiful asset - recently added to by a council purchase.
> > hope
> > to see you there!
> >
> > colin meurk (local resident)
> >
> > Please consider the environment before printing this email
> > Warning: This electronic message together with any attachments is
> > confidential. If you receive it in error: (i) you must not read, use,
> > disclose, copy or retain it; (ii) please contact the sender immediately by
> > reply email and then delete the emails.
> > The views expressed in this email may not be those of Landcare Research
> > New Zealand Limited. http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz
> >
> > Colin Meurk
> > Thorrington, Christchurch
> > Info about meurkc: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/5KOJEgmQknvJmUDxQ7GGee
> >
> > View all messages on this topic at:
> > http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/5ibLxaWaMGQaYVSnyFVL3w
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>
> Tim Kerr
> Somerfield, Christchurch
> Info about Tim Kerr: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/timkerr
>
> View all messages on this topic at:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/115ADLHp96k9el7dipsmIU
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