Jo (letsgoecogmail.com) asks:     [Oct 15, 2008]
Tagaste/Tree Lucerne - Any problems using?

We've been offered some tagaste/tree lucerne seedlings and they seed down so copiously that I'm a little concerned that they are a problem waiting to happen. I'm told they are great because they bring in the birds and act as a very good nursery crop where the natives can grow under. I'm just a little concerned that in time they could become another problem like broom and gorse. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I'm trying to go with eco sourced natives wherever possible, but we are planting such a big area as riparian planting and to establish native trees, free seedlings are a real bonus, but I don't want to take them if they will become a problem to our neighbours in time. Many thanks for your time.

Kama Burwell (kamaburwelliconz.co.nz) says:

Hi Jo,
I have planted many hundreds of tagasaste. It has worked very well and I'm going to plant more. I don't believe it will become a problem as it is a pioneer plant, ie won't establish in mature forested areas, and it highly palatable to all stock, so any growing in a paddock is a super bonus. Actually, we grow it as a fodder tree for cows, horses, sheep etc, plus the seeds feed the chooks.

DOC has planted thousands of tagasaste next to Egmont National Park as a nurse tree to allow native regeneration. So I think you are pretty safe.

Jo (letsgoecogmail.com) says:

Karma - Many thanks for that, much appreciated. I'd rather go with natives where possible, but having a source of Tagaste free when we are planting such a big area sounds too good to turn down based on what you've said. Brilliant, we'll get planting. Hi to you and Peter (I'm Jo that used to be in Taranaki, went to France and am now in Marlborough!) Best wishes, Jo

Tim @ Pig in the Mud Permaculture (shar.timxtra.co.nz) says:

Greetings Jo

Tagasaste (Chamaecytisus palmensis syn. Proliferus) has many appealing features and could potentially save you allot of energy (work) and money.

Tagasaste is a good pioneer Tree for the following reasons. Firstly yes it does attract native birds. The Native Kereru love Tagasaste and Kereru are one of New Zealand’s most prolific native tree planters. They produce a seed bomb full of healthy organic fertiliser within which any number of incubated seeds will be ready to establish themselves once they hit the ground. So you get free seed and free fertiliser …

The Tagasaste shelter the native seedlings until they are ready to break through the canopy (So acts allot like a Manuka/Kanuka stand does in the traditional New Zealand succession plan) and claim dominance.

The Tagasaste is a very fast grower. You can get a fully grown tree in 5-7 years. So this will give your efforts early momentum. They are also reasonably short lived Trees which is why they don’t generally become a problem in native forest regeneration. Over a decade or so the native forest under regeneration will essentially succeed the Tagasaste by establishing it’s own canopy and shading out the Tagasaste.

Now another marvellous trick the Tagasaste has up it’s sleeve is that it’s a Legume. So, with the right Rhizobium bacteria in the soil Tagasaste will fix it’s own nitrogen and thus begin a soil restoration process that will promote the microbiology in the soil and aide any other plants/trees in the immediate area.

Tagasaste attracts bees and thus promotes general pollination in the area’s surrounding them as well as providing you with another potential output which is of course honey ! Though you will need other flowering crops to support the bees while the Tagasaste aren’t in flower…

Tagasaste can also be coppiced over the life time of the tree so you get nicely sized pieces of firewood that only need a handsaw to harvest.

And as Kama indicates the Tagasaste is very good grazing fodder as the leaves are said to have a crude protein content of around 20-24%.

And lastly it’s relatively easy to grow your own. And free. Once you have a few trees in the ground you will be able to harvest your own seed. Tagasaste is reasonably easy to grow but does prefer dry sandy type soils. They still grow in heavier soils but not as well. These Trees originally came from the Canary Islands so that’s gives you a sense of the sort of conditions they like. The benefit in this is that they don’t really need watering once you plant them. From experience I suggest you plant Tagasaste well after the last Frost as the seedlings are reasonably susceptible to Frost.

The other problem you are going to have is that Possums and Hares also like Tagasaste. Over the years I've developed a 5 point protection plan that involves traps, tree pastes, tree guards and herbal leys to protect my seedlings. Happy to elucidate if you're interested.

Cheers and Good Luck
Tim

Jo (letsgoecogmail.com) says:

Tim - Well if I wasn't already convinced I would be now - very compelling! Thanks for the info on planting well after the last frost, I might leave it just a little bit before taking advantage of the neighbour's supply of seedlings. We have only been here for three weeks and so are unsure whether we wil have a hare or possum problem. If you have time to elaborate on your plan to protect the seedlings it would be much appreciated. Many thanks and best wishes, Jo

Tim @ Pig in the Mud Permaculture (shar.timxtra.co.nz) says:

Hi Jo,

My current protection plan involves spraying new seedlings with a commercial product called Treepel before they are planted. Treepel is an egg powder based resin. When applied to plants, on a dry day, it sticks to the leaves and makes them unappetising to rabbits, possums and hares. I've found it to be extremely effective. Secondly I protect the new seedlings with Treeguards so the would be attackers have a physical barrier to deal with. Then I apply Bettacrop Biogro certified paste to the Treeguard stakes. This paste produces a smell that deters Possums. And finally I have warrior kill traps in the bush surrounding the Orchard. These traps are quick and merciful and as they are installed on the side of a tree the risk of trapping non target species is largely mitigated.

Cheers,
Tim

Megan McDonald (mcdonamegamyvuw.ac.nz) says:

Hi Jo,
I came upon this forum through a google search. I'm a student at Victoria University of Wellington, doing some research for a restoration course over the summer - I am interested in documenting the use of tree lucerne as a nursey crop for natives, possibly in a long term capacity, but would been just as keen to have a one off look at the site (depending on where you are in New Zealand) or even just some photos or a chat on your observations to date. If any of these options may be suitable could you email or call me 04 3836462, no worries if you don't have the time. Many thanks, Megan.

Jo (letsgoecogmail.com) says:

Megan - We've just planted some seedlings two weeks ago, so it's a bit too early days to have any useful observations. If you read through the responses to my posting there are a couple of people who responded who have been growing Tagasaste for a while, they would probably be more worth talking to. I'd be happy to share what I can, but basically all we've done is transplant a few seedlings, throw some mulch around them and are waiting to see what happens! Best wishes on your project.

Jo

klaus (boloklaushotmail.com) says:

I planted some tagasaste on clay in northland and it does poorly. It gets hammered by citrus borer and puriri moth too. I use the more agressive albizia lophantha which is tougher on clay and only lives 3-4 yrs. my goats to my disappointment don't touch tagasaste but love lophantha. I read once that it also stimulates milk production. In terms of weed potential though it is more a worry than tagasaste but as above only on landscapes previously disturbed by humans and not a danger to advanced forest. it would work as a nurse crop for native trees too just like gorse without the spines. As a pioneer in food forests it works a treat especially in combination with whau. I guess the seeds are also eaten by chickens.