101 
NATURAL REGENERATION. THE FIRE MENACE. 
NATURAL REGENERATION. 
To say that conifers and eucalypts will spread by the natural distribution of 
their seed is merely to affirm that what has been going on through all the ages 
in which forests of these trees have existed will still go on wherever the seed can 
germinate and the seedlings can survive. Up and down New Zealand there are 
hundreds of examples of such natural regeneration. Finns pinaster has spread so 
freely in some localities as almost to become a weed. What nature can do in a 
few years with Finns radiata may be seen in the Taupo region, where a few parent 
trees have now numerous and far scattered offspring. Finns Torreyana was some 
years ago spreading fast in the uncultivated part of the Sanatorium Grounds at 
Rotorua. Sequoia sempervirens, Pseudo-tsuga Eouglasii, and Larix are all 
producing seed and seeking opportunity to raise new generations of their kind. 
Even more impressive is the natural fecundity of the eucalypts. At Waitati 
in Otago a few specimens of Euc. regnans have in fifty years given birth to a 
small forest. At “Okuti”, Little River, a splendid stand of E. eugenioides has 
invaded an adjoining area with a chain wide belt of seedlings. At Clevedon in 
the Auckland region a self sown generation of E. pilularis could now send logs 
to the sawmill. E. fastigata, E. obliqua, E. rostrata, E. Macarthuri s E. Gunnii, 
and E. viminalis are all demonstrating their capacity to regenerate without human 
aid. 
So far we have dealt with our question as a mere matter of observation. 
What use can we make of the truth disclosed? At their best and in the aggregate 
the forestry operations of all nations do not promise adequately to meet the 
prospective demand for timber and wood pulp. Is there any possible scheme by 
which the natural capacity of the trees to scatter their seed and raise new crops 
could be made more productive? In this and in other countries are large areas of 
inferior land awaiting the tree planter. His coming to them by ordinary methods 
is too slow. To hasten the conquest of these waste spaces why not plant in each 
region a few belts of suitable trees at intervals across the track of the pi e^ ailing 
winds and leave nature to do the rest? The suggestion is beset with difficulties, 
and worst of all is the menace of fire. But New Zealand has now a highly efficient 
Forest Service and Schools of Forestry, as well as a growing band of 
enthusiastic and capable private tree planters. What nature can do for them, 
they will know how to appreciate; and what difficulties are presented, they will be 
competent to overcome. New Zealand has already been commended for her skill 
and enthusiasm in planting forests; and it may be that here is another opportunity 
to lead in successful experiment. 
Some suggestions on Fire Prevention will be found on the next page. 
