Wildling trees in Otago

Central Otago (and other areas) are being invaded by exotic trees and there is a war going on to get rid of them. Yes I have written about this before.
However, in life there are always differing points of view, and my personal on is that the wildling trees should be looked on as an opportunity!

This idea does not have universal approval, but in Friday's Otago Daily Times, I did read a letter to the editor that goes along with my thinking.
The key really is evolution. The letter says that at this point of time, the area is grassland (well tussock). But only at this point of time. Previously there was other vegetation, and fires changed that.
The Department of Conservation and others have and are spending a lot of money to get rid of the trees in order to retain the tussock land. As the letter to the editor points out; it is nature's way to colonise. I have seen for myself that if grasslands are left, very slowly indigenous plants will colonise the area. The first species being Manuka. Once Manuka establishes itself, birds will carry in all the other species make up our dryland indigenous forest.

There are those who look at Central Otago as being 'pristine grassland', but it is only so at this time. It will change as time goes on. Shutting up grassland increases fire risk and when that happens things change.

So no matter what, the area will change and now exotic tree species encroach. We have the Department of Conservation spending large amounts of money to get rid of these trees - a battle that cannot be won. They are throwing away the opportunity for a natural resource to be created at no cost. Sure, there are farmers who will be adversely effected, but farmers change their land use at the drop of a hat - if the can sell to DoC for a fortune, they do; if they can go into tourism, they do; if they can go into dairying, they do; so it follows,if they see forestry as being lucrative, they will.

Just thought I should share that!