Fighting Kauri die back (PTA) at Pukemokemoke
The David Johnstone Pukemokemoke Bush Reserve is a 40ha patch of forest situated at Tauhei, 20 minutes north of Hamilton. It contains an excellent range of lowland forest species including kauri and a declining population of hard beech. A massive effort has removed extensive weed populations of privet, pampas, honeysuckle and gorse, as well as total control of possums, stoats and rats. We have about 40 kauri trees on the leading ridge, several of decent size and this outlier represents one of the southernmost natural stands of kauri in the country.
Recognizing the spread of PTA (Phytophthora taxon Agathia) and the need to control the spread of soil from footwear we erected covered walkthrough foot wash stations above and below the stand. While these are a step up from the manual boot washing stations so far used, we have acknowledged that this was not the full answer to keeping PTA out of the reserve.
Taking advice from DOC and from those working on the spread of PTA we have resolved to construct a raised wooden walkway for 360m through the kauri area, and add further boot washing apparatus at the top and bottom of the stand of kauri. Regional Council (Environment Waikato) have already donated $12,000 to assist with this and we have applied to Waikato District Council for the balance of the $32,000 we have budgeted. The picture shows a section of walkway we have already constructed for access at another part of the reserve. We have a faithful bunch of volunteers who do most of the work in the reserve and have resolved to do all the construction with volunteer labour.
By Warwick Silvester
Posted: 25 May 2016