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The gloves are off
The question of weeds is something that will bother us more in the future as last year’s garden centre must have becomes next year’s garden fence jumper. And what of the interlopers from the far north such as karo and pohutukawa? What should we be planting and how should we go about getting rid of today’s weeds?
Free lizard ID posters to download in menu on the right! See the skinks and geckos article below.
Pohutukawa vs rata
We’ve been encouraged to plant native, we’re asked to plant local, so here in the Wellington region thousands of northern rata are being planted in preference to pohutukawa.
Northern rata (Metrosideros robusta) once caused the hills of Tinakori and the harbour escarpment to glow with colour each spring according to Charles Heaphy, an early visitor to Port Nicholson. So when gales ripped large holes in the pine tree canopy of Wellington’s town belt a decision was made to start planting rata there on a large scale. Well and good, I hear you say, but does this mean no more pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsor)?
The issue is complex, northern rata was here in 1840, pohutukawa was not, it is not naturally occurring south of the Central Plateau. Pohutukawa is the runaway favourite street tree in many cities in the region and is also popular in gardens. Pohutukawa has become naturalised in many parts of the region and now regenerates freely in these areas of its own accord. In fact, it’s a bit of a bounder, establishing on your brick chimney, in that retaining wall and down the drain as well.
To make matters more complicated rata hybridises with pohutukawa, giving rise to many little rata-kawas. And we’re not totally sure we can easily tell the difference between species (rata & pohutukawa) and hybrids.
Northern rata is a tree which is often seen perched on another tree such as a rimu but which can establish on the ground as well. Like many epiphytes it requires a lot of sunshine and it is slow growing compared with the pohutukawa. We have a fight on our hands in more ways than one, which plant will win? Only time will tell.
Regional pest plants
There are now more naturalised exotic species than native species in New Zealand and each exotic plant in the wild is displacing a native one. Pest plants also have effects on the economy and the community. They contaminate pasture and crops, harm livestock and look unsightly in flowerbeds.
We need to minimise the effects of these plants by maximising how effectively we deal with them and to do this we need your help. First, know your weeds, a copy of the National Pest Plant Accord manual will help or a guide to common weeds. Plus you can try this online key.
Remove weeds from your own garden first and dispose of them carefully, some to your compost heap, some to the local council green waste site and the rest in a rubbish sack or direct to the landfill depending on how easily they re-grow.
When people dump weeds down the bank, in the stream or at the local reserve they spread them to places where they can multiply out of control.
Desex your cat
Cats are natural hunters and love to catch birds, lizards and even cicadas. This is not a good thing if the animals they are catching are rare or endangered species. Desexing (spaying or neutering) your cat will help to reduce the numbers of wild cats that live in your neighbourhood. Responsible cat owners keep their cats indoors at night, desex them and never abandon their pets. Abandoned pets get hungry and go hunting. Take unwanted pets to the SPCA instead.
If your cat brings in dead lizards you can help us. Photograph the lizard (back, stomach and side) and send the images with the address of where the animal was found and the date that it was found to richard.romijn@gw.govt.nz
Skinks and geckos in the Wellington region
How many skinks did your cat bring in last summer? If your answer was none that may mean there are no longer any skinks in your area, or that your cat keeps them outside. Skinks are not just beautiful animals in themselves, but play an important role in ecosystems. They are also food for kotare, the native kingfisher. So let’s hear it for the lizards!
What can we do to help? Remember, lizards are protected and some are threatened species, so don’t disturb them. Keep your cat indoors and provide some shelter for lizards, they like leafy debris, logs and thick, ground hugging shrubs to hide under. Or you can make shelters by tying several sheets of corrugated roofing material together and placing them where they won’t blow away. Next download a Wellington region lizard identification manual (there are two, one for skinks and one for geckos) and spend some time finding out how many species live in your garden.
Pest plants: what is Greater Wellington doing?
Seen it? Call us.
Greater Wellington Biosecurity staff want to hear from you if you think you have seen one of the weeds listed in the Regional Pest Management Strategy under the regional surveillance or total control categories. GW spends almost $1.4m a year on pest plant control and education. Almost 10% of which goes on biological controls such as gorse thrips and research into biological controls.Regional surveillance species: These species are known to be invasive. They may not be established in the region but could be present in neighbouring regions.Total control species: Recent arrivals limited in distribution. They have the potential to have serious adverse effects.Containment species: Expanding in range and density: They are established but still have a limited to moderate distribution. Clear areas will be kept clear.Site-Led species: Common throughout the region, control is the landowners responsibility. Eradication is not cost effective.In areas of high ecological importance GW may control a wider range of pest plants.
Win a pest plant manual
Existing members and new members who join before August 31 will go into the draw to win one of 30 copies of the National Pest Plant Accord Manual. This handy pocket sized, wire-bound book contains photographs and descriptions of plants that are considered pests throughout New Zealand. All of these plants are present in New Zealand, and are banned from sale, propagation and distribution.
Congratulations to Mrs Heather Dawson from Raumati Beach the winner of Sustainable Gardens, a book published by CSIRO and Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne.
Did you know?
Cigarettes are bad for fish and other animals. Keep them out of the sea, rivers and stream by always using an ash tray. Show this film by New Zealander Nick Holmes to your smoker friends and always provide them with somewhere safe for their cigarette butts.
Useful links
Otira-a healthy forest with great birds
Possum problem for NZ plants and birds