Frequently Asked Questions

established pine

What are wilding pines?
Wilding pines are pine trees that have spread from original shelterbelt, homestead or forestry plantations into adjoining areas. They are also known as rogue, wild or feral pines.
Why are they a problem?
Wilding pines are a significant problem in the Sounds, undermining its scenic qualities and threatening native flora and fauna. In some parts of the Sounds wilding pines are overtaking native plants as the dominant species.
A report commissioned by the Trust found that wilding pines pose a major threat to ecological processes, native vegetation, native flora and fauna, and natural soil and water conditions. The report identified at least eight types of native plants at risk, plus many native animals (land birds, shore-nesting birds, lizards, invertebrates and freshwater fish).
A second Trust report also found that, without management, the landscape values of Queen Charlotte Sound will gradually diminish. It will lose its distinctiveness, and very special identity based on its natural qualities.
How will they be controlled?
Contractors are required to remove all seedlings and young trees from areas of known pine infestation. These will either be hand-pulled or felled using a pruning saw/loppers.
Mature trees will be poisoned by injecting up to twelve holes into their trunks, and injecting an average of 2g of herbicide into each hole. The active ingredient will be metsulfuron-methyl, which is commercially available under brand names such as Meturon (Agpro) and Zeal® (DuPont).
What happens to poisoned trees?
Poisoned trees will be left standing. Initially each tree will turn brown and lose its needles, during which time it will be very obvious visually. Eventually, it will become a dead spar in the forest that will rot away, with its branches and stem slowly falling to the ground in pieces, over a period of up to 15 years for large trees.
Why are trees not being felled?
The felling of wilding pines has been tried in the Sounds in the past. However, it can make the wilding pine problem worse. Large trees break down a lot of regenerating native vegetation as they hit the ground, thereby opening up a 'light well' on the forest floor. Pine seeds like high light conditions to germinate, and dozens of seedlings can appear around the felled tree.
By contrast, poisoning leaves the surrounding regenerating native vegetation undisturbed, and allows a seamless transition from wilding pines to native vegetation. Significantly less secondary pine re-growth is anticipated from poisoning.
It is widely recognized as the preferred means of managing wilding pines in forested areas.
What about the trees around my house?
Not all trees will be poisoned. Contractors generally leave trees in the following situations:
  1. within between 40m to 80m of power lines, or as specified by Marlborough Lines Ltd;
  2. within 50m of private dwellings, boatsheds, jetties or other structures, or the access tracks to these structures, on the Sounds Foreshore Reserve;
  3. within 50m of public structures, walking tracks, camping and amenity areas, or popular beaches that are managed as part of the public conservation estate;
  4. within 50m of public roads, or as specified by Marlborough Roads Ltd;
  5. within 8m of the sea;
  6. that have been requested as an exclusion by landowners;
  7. any other tree which, by its location, may pose a hazard to coastal navigation, the public, public access, public utilities or man-made structures if it is poisoned and left in place.

These trees will generally be left, and remain the responsibility of the relevant land owner. The Trust may, however, have some felled by a qualified chainsaw operator as a follow-up to the poisoning operation.
What about my private land?
Access to private land is at the landowner’s discretion. If you do not want the contractor to work on your land, want only some trees poisoned on your property, or want to stipulate some access conditions, this will be complied with.
Where to from here?
To complete its wilding pine programme, the Trust requires community support, either through cash or in-kind assistance. To find out how you can help please visit our 'How You Can Help' section.