Permaculture in New Zealand

Shelter trees and water saving techniques, by Aleena La'ulu

SHELTER TREES AND WATER SAVING TECHNIQUES
Providing shelter trees on a dairy farm improved pasture growth by 20%, reduced energy need by 20%, total production increased 30%. There are more trees than just Pines NZer’s!

LARGE CROP PRODUCING SHELTER PLANTS
1. Bay
2. Olive
3. Pistachio
4. Willow
5. Feijoa
6. Fig
7. Hazelnut

LOW GROWING HEDGE SHELTER PLANTS FOR AROUND GARDENS
1. Wormwood
2. Santolina
3. Rosemary
4. Sage
5. Lavender
6. Tree lupin
7. Flax
8. List of other herbs to consider

OTHER SHELTER TREES WITH USES
1. Kowhai
2. Broom
3. Mahoe
4. Griselinia
5. Ngaio
6. Cabbage tree
7. Manuka
8. Tree lucern
9. Acacias: Brigalow and Mulga
10. List of even more – wood producing shelter trees

WATER SAVING TECHNIQUES
1. Recommended reads
2. A basic solution to try for establishing small trees in dry areas – and where to plant
3. What causes salinization
4. New zealand statistics heading towards salinization and desertification

Bay tree
Climate
All regions. Full to partial shade. Grows well in cool places. Survives frosts.
Soil conditions
Rich well drained.
Propagation
Seeds may require 6-12 months for germination. Cuttings from green shoots in autumn take 3-9 months.
Growth habits
Height to 18 metres. Flowering in spring.
Uses
The leaves of the bay tree may be picked and dried. Used in soups and casseroles. Leaves scattered in cupboards repel storage pests.

Olive ‘Olea europaea’
Height to 5 metres or more. Grows well in most soils as long as drainage is good. Drought tolerant although watering during flowering and summer will increase yield. Fruit ripens in late autumn and winter. Fruit cannot be eaten fresh.

Pistachio ‘Pistacia vera’
Deciduous hardy tree. Requires both male and female trees, males have red flowers, females white. Bisexual trees are available. Prefer hot dry summers. Mild to cold winters. Pistachio are drought tolerant although regular watering for high yields is required until fruit approaches maturity. Dry conditions preferred thereafter.

Willow salix, S. Caprea
Keep away from drains etc. Produces early pollen and nectar, good for bee fodder. May be used as a natural hormone stimulant for propagation by cuttings. Quick growing. Thin flexible branches can be used for woven fences, trellis, archways etc. Easily propagated by hardwood cuttings in winter. Will grow in most situations. Care must be taken when discarding of unwanted branches and twigs as they will take root quickly and easily.

Feijoa
Height 3-4 metres. Flowers early summer. Frost hardy. Can be pruned as a hedge. Must have good drainage. Water well during fruiting. Plant 2 or more of different varieties unless self fertile. Problems may be scale insect and fruit fly. Good bee plants. Will tolerate clay soils.

Fig
Fruits autumn to late spring. Deciduous shrub or tree. Prefers moist, well drained soil in full sun. Requires plenty of nitrogen.

Hazelnut
Height to 5 metres. Thrives on most soils, it prefers a deep well drained, medium textured soil. Will tolerate rather compact clay soil as long as clay is not too impermeable. Nitrogen, potassium and boron are the three elements most commonly deficient in hazelnuts. They thrive at stream edges. A general recommendation of 1kg nitrogen and .5 kg of potassium per year on mature trees. Will grow in weather conditions suited to apples. Propagates easily be seed. Layering or hard wood cuttings, from suckers with light coloured bark at the base will root readily in moist sand. Note: must have one pollinator tree for every 16-25 trees. Recommended species are Cosford, Filbert, Barcelona and Butler. Pruning of tree is mainly just thinning, carried out in winter. Space tree 5m x 2m. Every second tree may need to be removed after 6-7 years. Harvest late Feb-March. Nuts should be gathered soon after they have fallen. If suckers become a problem, sheep can be bought in, as they enjoy grazing on them.

LOW GROWING HEDGE SHELTER PLANTS FOR AROUND GARDENS

Herbs generally need a well drained soil so all herbs to be planted as hedges will be planted in a ‘no dig’, raised garden style. However they do not necessarily have to have a wooden frame. Many herbs will do well in a top soil, rather than a rich compost.

Worm wood
Climate
All regions except tropical. Full sun to partial shade.
Soil conditions
Poor well drained.
Propagation
Sow seed shallowly in spring or autumn. Take cuttings or divide established plants in early spring or early autumn.
Growth habits
Live for approximately 7 years. 1.2 metre height. Hardy, drought resistant, wind tolerant. Summer flowering. Note: do not grow next to other plants as worm wood inhibits the growth of all other plants. Plant at least ½ a metre away from gardens.
Uses
Repellent, dried and put in sachets or made into garden tea to repel aphids.

Santolina lavender
Climate
All regions except tropical. Full sun.
Soil conditions
Poor well drained. Grows poorly in wet soil.
Propagation
Sow seed shallowly in late spring, germinates slowly. Take cuttings, layer or divide older plants in spring.
Growth habits
Height to 60 cm. Flowers mid to late summer. Cut back in spring to promote new growth.
Uses
Dried flowers used in crafts and floral arrangements. Insect repellent for clothing. Crushed leaves are applied to bites and stings (one of the best herbs to use for this).

Rosemary
Climate
All regions, full sun
Soil conditions
Light, well drained acidic soil.
Propagation
Sow seed in spring or take cuttings in spring or autumn. Note: it is said that plants grown from seed are superior to those from cuttings.
Growth habits
Height 60-180 cm. Flowering varies according to climate and cultivars.
Uses
Used as a hair rinse, insect repellent. Also used in cooking, cooking oils, vinegar’s and teas. Used as an inhalant for sore throats, coughs and colds. Has been used to treat arthritis, rheumatism, gout and menstrual cramps. Used in floral arrangements.

Sage
Climate
All regions, full sun to partial shade
Soil conditions
Well drained, acidic soil.
Propagation
Sow seed in late spring, although I have had success in early spring. Cuttings or division in spring or autumn.
Growth habits
Height 30-60 cm. Flowers in spring.
Other species and cultivars
Golden sage, height 45 cm
Pineapple sage height to 105 cm, flowers all summer. Prefers full sun. Pinch tops for bushier growth
Purple sage height to 45 cm, used in floral arrangements
Tricolour sage height to 90 cm
Sage Continued…
Uses
Culinary herb, great in cooking, vinegar’s and oil. May be used as a hair rinse. May be used as an inhalant or tea for coughs, colds, sore throats, acne and skin diseases. Sage is a stimulant so do not take before bed.

Lavender
Climate
All regions except tropical and subtropical. Full sun
Soil conditions
Light well drained acidic soil.
Propagation
Seeds are not always reliable. Take cuttings in spring or autumn
Growth habits
Height to 90 cm. Flowers in summer.
Uses
Flowers used in massage oils, perfume oils. Crafts, potpourri, dried flowers. Insect repellent

Tree lupin
Not found, but may be similar to ‘lupin green crops’, see Unit 10331, question 3a. This tree is nitrogen fixing and may be used chopped up as a nitrogen rich mulch.

Flax ‘Phormium tenax’
Height to 2 metres. Evergreen. Wind tolerant, frost tolerant. Will not cope in dry soils. Good for low shelter. Tolerant of salt wind. Has a wide variety of uses in weaving, used as rope, woven into bags, baskets, belts, mats etc. May be used for ties to gardens stakes. Flax does have medicinal properties but care is needed as it can be extremely poisonous. The red bronze foliage grows in most soils, in sun or semi shade. Purple green flowers from November to December. Propagate in autumn by division. Used in floral arrangements.

Other herbs to consider for shelter are: feverfew, curry plant, geraniums, chives, lemon grass, bergamot, chicory, germander, golden rod, horehound, lemon balm, tansy, tarragon, thyme.

OTHER SHELTER TREES WITH USES

Kowhai ‘sophora microphylla var. longicarinata
A semi deciduous tree good as a nectar and pollen source. Flowers August - October. Attracts birds. Particularly successful in colder areas. Thrives in most soils. Timber is hard, tough and durable. Used for cabinet work and ornamental turnery. Leaves were used for dysentery, fever and diarrhoea. Chew the leaves to freshen breath. Propagate fresh seed. Old seed, pour hot water over and soak over night. May also be grown by cuttings.

Broom
Height to 3 metres. Good pollen source from September to November. Similar growth habit to gorse, although not quite as successful. Broom is an important plant in forest succession. It is what is commonly referred to as a ‘Pioneer plant’, providing shelter for slower growing emergent and canopy trees. It will grow in most soils and situations.

Mahoe, Whitey wood, ‘melicytus ramiflorus’
Grows to a height of 10 metres. Fruits February to Match. Attracts birds. Good nectar and pollen source from November to December. Used for rheumatism, scabies, tattooing and burns. Also used to make fire. Grows well in most soils. Prefers shelter. Good
Mahoe continued…
source of food for farm animals. Used in gunpowder. Propagate from seed or semi hardwood cuttings

Griselinia littoralis ‘papauma, broadleaf’ kapuka, puka
Fruits March to April. Attract birds. Grows to 12 metres. Used for sore stomachs. Can be pruned as a hedge. Strong durable timber has been used for house piles, fence posts, and sleepers. Grows well in most situations. Hardy tree, withstands coastal winds. Propagate from seed in spring and autumn or semi hard wood in summer. Used by florists in floral arrangements.

Ngaio, Kaio, ‘myoporum laetum’
Grows to 10 metres. Flowers December, fruits in March. A bisexual evergreen, it is fast growing in well drained soil and good sun. Good coastal tree, wind tolerant. Repels sand flies. Sticky black shoots are used in an infusion and rubbed over body. Also burnt as an insect repellent. Used for eczema, cuts, ulcers, wounds and warts. Propagate by seed; late summer by semi ripe cuttings.

Cabbage tree Ti kouka ‘Cordyline australis’
Grows 12 -20 metres. Flowers October, fruit February. Enjoys full sun and grows in most soils. Wind and frost hardy. Flowers from October to November and fruits during April and May. The bluish white berries contain black seeds. Interior part of tree stem and roots were a staple food of the Maori. Soot was used in tattooing. Juice from the leaves was used for cuts, cracks and sores. Was used by early settlers for making alcoholic drinks. Soft part of leaves cooked and chewed for constipation. Young tree stem juice used for infant thrush. Other uses were colic, nursing mothers, blood disorders, blood purifier, diarrhoea and dysentery. Attracts birds and provides Nectar and pollen for bees. Propagate in summer by taking stem cuttings and spring with suckers or seed. Yellowing leaves of the tree indicates a virus that will eventually kill the tree. Once established these trees are usually virus resistant.

Manuka/Tea tree ‘leptospermum scoparium’ kahikaatoa
Height to 4 metres, flowers from September to February. Fruit from April to May. Manuka has a multitude of uses; sprains, wounds, dandruff, lice, rheumatism, burns, rashes, urinal complaints, coughs, worms, influenza, asthma, sore throats and insomnia. Used as a tea. It is a good Nectar and pollen source for bees. Fast growing evergreen prefers well drained soil and sun. Wind hardy. Grows well on dry banks. Propagate in summer by semi ripe cuttings or by fresh seed. Has similar growth habits to gorse.

Tree lucern, ‘chamaecytisus plalmensis’
Some times called tagaste. Small, sprawling, medium density that needs to be trimmed to keep density. Grows to 5 metres in most soil, but does prefer light gravely soil. Good feed for animals. Helps to protect slower growing species. Can be chopped out after 4-5 years once it has served its purpose. Remove weeds before planting. Water through first summer, and pruning. Easy to propagate from seed. Provides good bee fodder August to September. Attracts birds. Provides feed for most farm animals. Nitrogen fixing, drought tolerant, wind tolerant. Fast growing, good for erosion control, but not as effective as willow. Competitive against gorse. Attract predatory insects. Good for dry areas. Excellent provider for compost and mulch.

Acacias (commonly known as Wattles)
This name originates from early English where it denoted ‘interlaced rods and twigs as material of fences, walls and roofs (plastered with mud and clay). It was adopted by early Australian settlers because of the similarity of the twigs and branchlets of coastal species to those of plants used in England for Wattle construction. Acacia have spectacular flowers that keep flowering for several weeks providing an excellent source of nectar and pollen for bees. Acacia play an important role in soil conservation, as a source of nitrogen in forest ecosystems and makes good fodder for sheep in times of drought (best taken only as a supplement). Seeds may last up to 20 years. However the seeds of Brigalow may only last ½ to 2 years unless stored in a freezer. Life spans and height vary from species to species, all however, are nitrogen fixing and drought tolerant. Some woods have a distinctive scent ranging from raspberry jam to violet like fragrances

Brigalow
Height to 20 metres. Frost hardy. Prefers heavy black clay soils. It flowers erratically but usually from July to September. Care is needed when handling green timber as it may cause dermatitis. Heart wood is dark brown, hard, very strong and moderately durable. Timber is not usually marketed these day, but it has been used in the past for small, heavy construction as well as turnery and furniture. Formerly it was used by aborigines for spear shafts, boomerangs and nulla-nullas.

Mulga
Height to 9 metres. Prefers floods and erosional plains. Soil types vary but the denser stands are usually found on red earth’s and sands or red clayey sands and sometimes on sandy gravels. It is found scattered on less favourable soils such as lateritic and calcareous crusts or those of a markedly skeletal nature. Wood: sapwood narrow, white; heartwood dark brown, with contrasting marking of golden yellow, very hard, dense wood that turns well and takes a high polish. The Aborigines use the wood for spears, clubs and boomerangs. Sometimes used for fencing. Good fuel.
List of even more – wood producing shelter trees
This information has come from Money Trees on your property by David Fitzpatrick

Sawlog producing

Alpine ash
Blue gums
Flooded gum
Forest red gum,
Messmate,
Mountain ash
Mountain grey gum
Mountain gum
Red ironbark
River red gum
Shining gum
Southern blue gum
Sugar gum
Tasmanian blue gum

Pulp and wood chips

Tasmanian blue gum,

Species for furniture

Blackwood
Blue gum
Blue gum
Bull oak
California redwood
Chestnut
Cypress
Douglas fir
Drooping sheoak
Grey box
Grey gum
Grey gum
Ironbark
Jasper jam wattle
Lemon-scented gum
Messmate
Mountain ash
Murray’s wattle
Myall
Myrtle
Paulownia
Red gum
Red stringy bark
River oak
River oak
Sassafras
Southern mahogany
Spotted gum
Tasmanian oak
Walnut
White cypress
Yellow box

Posts and fencing

Forest red gum
Gippsland grey box
River red gum

Firewood

Box species
Drooping sheoak
River red gum
Sugar gum
Yellow gum

WATER SAVING TECHNIQUES

RECOMMENDED READS
Water for every farm, Yeomans Keyline Plan. Published 2002, soft cover, 365 pages. To order on line www.keyline.com.au.
Subjects included in this book are: Comprehensive whole farm design, amplified contour cultivation, Water storage in farm dams, Layout better farm road, Quick gravity irrigation
Countour strip forests, Subdivision design, Erosion control, Solving salt. Compiled, updated and edited by Ken B Yeomans H.A.D, from the work and writings of the late P.A. Yeomans. If you order a book, please mention the source you found this information on, thank you.

Water-saving gardening in New Zealand by Kevin Walsh with Geoff Bryant. Conserve water, save time and have a beautiful garden. Published 1995. 170 pages.
This book is an awesome NZ find, subjects included in this book include: Site analysis, soil analysis, group plants according to water needs, water harvesting and recycling, selecting water saving plants, high, medium and low drought tolerant plants.

A BASIC SOLUTION TO TRY FOR ESTABLISHING SMALL TREES IN DRY AREAS – and where to plant
Establishing small trees in dry areas,– try plant the tree in a depression of around 7cm below the average soil height in the wettest season, apply a thick layering of mulch but keep it away from the stem of the tree. Place 3 tyres stacked on top of one another around the tree, the mulch should be wide enough that the tyres sit on top of it. Cover the top tyre opening with shade cloth to keep moisture in, gradually remove the shade cloth and tyres as the plant begins to look like it is strong enough to survive.

WHAT CAUSES SALINIZATION
Over grazing
Over fertilising
Excessive water use and irrigation

NEW ZEALAND STATISTICS HEADING TOWARDS SALINIZATION AND DESERTIFICATION

Use of inputs across farming sectors
Synthetic fertilizers used - up 21% from 1996-2002
Nitrogen fertilizer used – up 160% from 1996-2002
Irrigated land increasing 55% each decade
Water abstraction increasing for both surface water and ground water

Dairy sector
Fertiliser use up 162% 1996-2002

Sheep and beef sector
Tonnes of fertiliser up between 162%-263%

Horticulture and Viticulture Sectors
DAP fertiliser per hectare – up 150%

Entered by Aleena La'ulu