NZ Native Revegetation Project

I often advocate to clients to plant areas in native bush. I think for many it is hard to envisage. So I'll show you! This is one project that we have created from bare paddock, down in Martinborough. Harsh, cold winters, then dry dry dry and windy summers. No irrigation, just good species choice, staking, bark mulch, fertliser, water gel, and ongoing weed control around each plant, annually. 5 years on, and there is very little to do other than form pruning some of the larger trees along the path, and thinking about underplanting with ferns and shade loving groundcovers.

SEPTEMBER 2007
Bare paddock. Spot spraying around each plant, up to twice a year. Long grass allowed to grow between plants for extra wind protection (and hare deterrent).

Just planted. Note the exposed seat further along the path.

SEPTEMBER 2010
Three year old trees. The pathway through the middle is still in full sun, but the trees each side have bulked up. Still requiring annual spot spray around each tree.

JULY 2012
Five years from planting, and the site is unrecognizable. The original seat is nestled into the tall cabbage trees behind it, and the pathway is obscured by planting which helps give a sense of exploration as you have to walk further to see what is around the corner. Much of the pathway is in shade by the taller trees.

Rach and Binds having a tea break during annual maintenance!
Notice how big the cabbage trees are now.

Cabbage Trees are self seeding - fantastic result.

The path now meanders through the bush, rather than being a path across
a paddock. Gives a sense of enclosure and anticipation about what is
around the corner.

The original objective was to create a shaded NZ bush experience for a section of a walking track around the rural lifestyle property, much of which is in open sun, or alongside a vineyard. Walking through trees, and shade, and enclosure contrasts perfectly with the other experiences. The only maintenance we do in there now is form pruning the larger trees and shrubs, plus a bit of weed spraying around the edges. Some of the trees are even setting seed around themselves, which of course is exactly how it happens in nature - we have just given them a place to do it.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY - GET THE ESTABLISHMENT PHASE DONE THOROUGHLY, AND AFTER  A FEW YEARS IT LOOKS AFTER ITSELF.