APPLETONS' TREE NURSERY LTD
Main Road South,
Wakefield,
Nelson,
New Zealand
Appletons' Tree Nursery Ltd was started in 1968 producing forest, shelter and ornamental trees from seed using open ground techniques. Output has grown steadily over the past 29 years with 25 hectares currently producing 6 million seedlings and transplants for supply throughout New Zealand. Over 300 species are listed in the free annual catalogue, with many rare items on trial as seed becomes available.
Appletons' Tree Nursery employs a permanent staff of 15 and has a seasonal requirement, over the winter despatch period, for 22 extra staff. Staff tend to live within 8km of the Nursery, so we are important to the local employment and economic base. We currently have 2 apprentices working through the NZ Horticulture Industry Training Organisation. It is an excellent system for employment-based learning and deserves continued support.
Appletons own 280 hectares of plantation forest and have joint ventures with farmer landowners on an additional 200 hectares. A 150 hectare farm has extensive farm forestry trial plantings and is being planted as a future seed orchard and trial planting area of lesser known forestry ornamental and shelter species.
Pinus radiata continues to be the major forest species grown and a range of genetically improved Pinus radiata seed is used. The highest rating currently commercially available is GF 30 (growth and form factor), produced by controlled pollinations of known parents in seed orchards.
This material is more expensive and it is recommended for use on higher fertility sites, with possible interplanting of less expensive GF 17 stock, which will be removed later as thinnings. GF 17 is recommended for general hill planting with much improvement in growth and form over un-improved Pinus radiata stock. Plug tray seedlings are a recent development on the Nursery. These allow for autumn planting and greater survival when transplanted.
Douglas fir is increasing in prominence with log values above radiata compensating for the slower initial growth rates. Colder, snow prone sites are better planted in Douglas fir as the branches shed snow well.
Cypress timber is being appreciated at last. Cupressus macrocarpa is the closest exotic timber to kauri and knot-free timber is keenly sought after for boatbuilding. We have used macrocarpa for our own office furniture and panelling. In higher rainfall areas the Mexican Cypress - Cupressus lusitanica - is preferred. Seed comes from selected stands of trees heavily thinned to leave only the best formed trees as parents. Lawson's Cypress grows a fine timber on more fertile sites but grazing animals should not be allowed access to 'pug' the ground under the trees as this compacts the soil causing root rot, and cankers develop on the branches as trees become unthrifty.
Much value can be added to farms by planting ornamental and shelter trees with flower colour, soft green spring growth and rich autumn colours, as well as providing summer shade and reduced wind dessication of crops and pasture.
Trees draw minerals from deeper levels than pasture species and these minerals are dispersed during leaf fall for quite a distance, ultimately benefitting pasture species and animal production.
Highly specialised machinery has been developed over the years to spread composted bark, sawdust; precision sow seeds; accurately spray to combat weeds, insects and fungi using low toxacity chemicals; cut the tap roots and side roots; and finally, lift the trees with minimal damage to the roots.
Careful grading, counting and trimming are followed by packing for despatch throughout New Zealand and occasionally overseas. All this is made possible by our staff who work hard to produce good quality tree stocks.
http://www.nzero.co.nz/treecrop/conf98/appleton.htm
