Establishment and planning
What areas of my farm are best suited to planting native trees?
Marginal land such as steep slopes, erosion-prone soils, riparian margins, wetlands, and areas that are difficult or uneconomic to farm are often best suited to native planting. Targeting these areas can deliver the greatest environmental benefits while reducing farm management costs and risks.
- Riparian margins – an introduction (PDF, 2.52 MB)
- For sediment, nutrient and pathogen management (PDF, 3.45 MB)
- For native timber and multiple purposes (PDF, 1.78 MB)
- Farming with native trees (PDF, 6.54 MB)
- Case Study: Cassie’s Farm – Establishing native forest from scratch
How densely should native trees be planted?
Planting densities typically range from ~1,100 stems/ha (3 m spacing) to ~4,444 stems/ha (1.5 m spacing). Denser planting achieves faster canopy closure and weed suppression (often within 2–3 years) but at higher cost, while wider spacing lowers upfront costs but requires longer-term weed control and monitoring. Approaches such as the Tīmātā method use wider spacing of hardy pioneers (e.g. mānuka, kānuka) to encourage natural regeneration. Irrespective of density, performance may vary by site, and canopy closure can take many years for low density planting in particular, so it is useful to regularly monitor progress.
How much does it cost to plant natives?
Planting costs vary with site conditions, plant size and grade, planting density, and the level of site preparation, fencing, pest control, planting, and ongoing maintenance. As a guide, low-density planting (~1,100 stems/ha) may cost under $10,000/ha, while higher-density planting (~2,500 stems/ha) can exceed $20,000/ha, including several years of weed and pest control.
Seedling prices also vary: small forestry-grade plants are typically $2–$3 each, while larger container-grown plants (e.g. PB2/PB3) are $3.50 to $5+. Faster-growing shrub species used as nurse crops are generally cheaper than slower-growing tree species.
Tools such as the Tāne’s Tree Trust planting calculator can help estimate total costs using default values or site-specific inputs.
What is a nurse cover?
A nurse cover is an early planting of fast-growing, hardy native species (often pioneer shrubs) used to establish a protective canopy over a site. These “nurse species” quickly shade out grass and weeds, provide shelter, and create improved microclimate conditions for inter-planted, sometimes slower-growing, native trees to establish and grow.
Nurse cover is particularly important on exposed pastoral sites. It helps reduce weed control requirements, lowers establishment risk, and can improve the performance of later-successional or timber tree species. Resource:
Can native forest establish naturally without planting?
Yes. Natural regeneration can occur if nearby native seed sources are present and other factors that inhibit effective regeneration are managed. This includes fencing to exclude grazing animals, selective control of aggressive weed species and control of browsing animals such as deer and goats. Resource:
Can grazing by stock assist in establishing native forest at scale?
In some situations, native forest can begin regenerating under grazing, but typically only unpalatable species such as mānuka, kānuka, tauhinu and tōtara establish where seed sources are nearby. Grazing can be effective in reducing rank grass competition to allow germination of these natives on marginal hill country but removal of stock will be required eventually to allow regeneration of a diverse forest with more palatable broadleaved species. Resource:
- Natural regeneration of native forests (refer to section on Grazing as a tool for reversion)
What planning is required for planting natives?
Before the planting spade hits the ground, there are important issues to consider when planning a native planting project, whether you are planting a few natives for a community-based restoration project or establishing native forest on a large scale. Aspects include whether the planting project is to be undertaken by community volunteers or by contract planters, options for planting time, transporting and storage of plants at the planting site, and methods for laying out plants to achieve the desired planting pattern for tree spacing and species mix. Resource:
Site preparation and planting methods
What site preparation is required before planting natives?
Good site preparation is critical for successful establishment of native forest. Site preparation covers a multitude of tasks that need to be addressed before the site is planted. These tasks will vary from site to site. Various factors, some of which are common to all sites, will need to be addressed as part of site preparation. This includes fencing to exclude domestic grazing stock; pest animal control; and management of existing vegetation cover.
The exact prescription and intensity of site preparation is influenced by the scale of planting, resources available including labour, the quality and size of planting stock, and the intended density of planting. Good site preparation will also ensure greater success of a native planting programme with less post-planting weed control and significantly less downstream costs.
- Site preparation for planting natives
- Livestock and pest management (PDF, 3.44 MB)
- Preparing grass sites for planting (PDF, 2.35 MB)
- Preparing gorse- broom and blackberry sites (PDF, 4.40 MB)
What fencing is needed before planting native trees?
Livestock must be excluded from new plantings to prevent browsing and trampling. Lower-cost electric fencing is commonly used, particularly for cattle, but requires a reliable power supply. Permanent stock-proof fencing is recommended where resources allow prior to planting to provide secure, long-term protection from livestock, including sheep. In areas with high deer pressure or on deer farms, deer fencing may be required, although it is relatively expensive.
When is the best time of year to plant native trees?
In most regions of New Zealand, planting is best done from late autumn to early spring (May–September) when soil moisture is high and plants are largely dormant. Timing may need adjusting to avoid droughts or heavy frosts, especially in colder or higher-altitude areas.
- Getting ready for planting (Optimum planting season)
- Native trees – Planting and early management for wood production (PDF, 5.10 MB) (refer to page 27)
- Riparian restoration over 24 years near Rotorua
What are the best planting techniques?
Successful planting starts with good planning, including timing, layout, plant handling, and organising planting operations appropriate to whether work is done by volunteers or contractors. Careful management of plant transport, storage and on-site layout is important to achieve the intended spacing and species mix.
Good planting technique is critical for establishment. Key practices include using suitable, clean equipment; handling seedlings carefully; preparing the planting hole properly; and planting at the correct depth with firm soil contact. Optional measures such as stakes, guards, fertiliser and mulch may be used depending on site conditions and resources, although their practicality should be considered for larger-scale planting programmes.
Poor planting can lead to weak, unstable or dead plants, wasting time and money.
Species selection and planting design
Which species are most appropriate for planting my area?
Forest types vary by region, so select species based on what grows successfully locally, using guidance from nearby restoration projects and native plant nurseries. For restoration, focus on a limited number of common local species that reflect those already planted or naturally regenerating, as these are more likely to perform well and be readily available.
Is it important to match species to preferred microsites?
Conditions such as soil, moisture, drainage, exposure and shelter are important for good establishment and growth. Some species require early shelter, while others tolerate wetter or more exposed conditions.
Planting species randomly is not recommended, as it is unlikely to match species to suitable sites and can compromise performance. Understanding both site conditions and species requirements, and following local successional patterns, helps achieve better early growth and long-term forest development. Resource:
Which native species are commonly used for early restoration planting?
Fast-growing shrubs and small trees—often called early successional or nurse species—are commonly used, including mānuka, kānuka, kōhūhū, karamū, harakeke, tī kōuka, koromiko and makomako. These species establish quickly, tolerate exposed conditions, and form an initial canopy that helps suppress weeds. Resource:
When should long-lived native canopy tree species be planted?
Native tree species are generally best planted within a nurse crop of early successional shrubs, which provide shelter and improve site conditions. On favourable or sheltered sites, both nurse species and long-lived canopy trees can be planted at the same time. On more exposed or difficult sites, it is often better to delay planting canopy species by one or more years until the nurse cover has established.
Long-lived canopy species such as native conifers (e.g. tōtara, rimu, kauri, kahikatea, mataī) and hardwoods (e.g. beech, pūriri, kohekohe, rewarewa) can be planted alongside nurse species or introduced later once sufficient shelter has developed. Tree-only plantings are possible on sheltered sites but may require longer-term maintenance.
How important is seed source or ecosourcing when planting native trees?
Using locally sourced seed, termed ecosourcing, helps maintain local genetic diversity and ensures plants are adapted to the climate and soils of the region. Where possible, use seedlings grown from seed collected locally, or from similar nearby sites if local seed is unavailable.
- Ecosourcing of native species for planting
- Native trees – Planting and early management for wood production (PDF, 5.10 MB) (refer page 24)
Maintenance and management
How long do newly planted native need weed control, and why is it important?
Most native plantings require weed control and maintenance for the first 2–5 years until trees establish and canopy cover develops. During this period, weeds such as vigorous rhizomatous grasses, ferns, blackberry, gorse and broom can outcompete young natives for light, nutrients and water, leading to poor survival and slow growth.
Effective and timely weed control in the early years is critical to ensure successful establishment and canopy closure. A lack of weed management within the first few years is one of the main causes of planting failure. Resources
What are the options for weed control of planted natives?
Most sites require regular weed control (manual and/or chemical) for 2–5 years, and longer (up to ~10 years) where aggressive woody weeds such as blackberry or gorse are present. Common methods include:
- Spot spraying (e.g. glyphosate) around seedlings for grasses and herbaceous weeds, applied carefully to avoid drift or contact with foliage
- Manual control (cutting, pulling) for woody weeds or where spraying is unsuitable
- Repeated releasing (often every 6 months early on) until seedlings are well established
Early and consistent control is critical, as weeds like gorse, blackberry and pampas can quickly overtop and suppress young trees.
- The basics of planting natives
- Native trees – Planting and early management for wood production (PDF, 5.10 MB) (refer page 28)
What animal pests threaten young native forests?
Common pests include deer, goats, pigs, rabbits and hares, which can browse or damage young seedlings. Most native species used in restoration are highly palatable, making early protection important.
Where pest control is limited, fencing and/or tree guards can help protect seedlings. In high-pressure areas, more browse-tolerant species (e.g. mānuka, kānuka, tauhinu, tōtara) may be used, although even these may require protection until established.
Should native forests be thinned or pruned?
If the objective is timber production, pruning and thinning are generally required to improve tree form, encourage straight stems, and enhance timber quality. While initial spacing and nurse crops influence form, most species benefit from active silviculture.
Pruning helps develop a single straight stem and reduce large lower branches. Some species (e.g. kauri, kahikatea, tānekaha) often form good stems naturally, whereas others (e.g. tōtara, rimu, pūriri, rewarewa, beech) typically benefit from form pruning from the sapling or young pole stage.
Thinning is important in dense tree plantings to reduce competition, maintain optimum growth rates, and favour the best-formed trees by concentrating growth on selected stems.
- A New Zealand guide to growing our native tall tree species (PDF, 3.19 MB)
- Complete tōtara manual (PDF, 11.16 MB)
- Beeches (PDF, 6.35 MB)
- Kauri (PDF, 5.77 MB)
- Tōtara (PDF, 4.21 MB)
- Management of naturally regenerated tōtara on farms (PDF, 4.58 MB)
How long does it take for native forest to establish?
Visible canopy development may occur within 10–20 years, while full mature forest structure may take several decades or longer depending on species.
Environmental benefits
How do native forests improve water quality?
Native vegetation stabilises soils, filters runoff, and reduces sediment entering streams and rivers.
Can native trees reduce erosion on farms?
Yes. Native forests stabilise soil through root systems and canopy cover, particularly on steep hill country.
How do native forests support biodiversity?
Native forests provide habitat for birds, insects, reptiles, and other native species, contributing to ecosystem resilience.
Can native forests help restore degraded land?
Native forests store carbon in tree biomass and soils, helping offset greenhouse gas emissions.
Economics and incentives
Can native forests be registered in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)?
Yes. Eligible native forests can earn New Zealand Units (NZUs) under the ETS if they meet scheme requirements. Further details can be found on the MPI website.
Lookup tables on the ETS website are based on data from scrubland on poorer quality sites and planted native trees sequester significantly more Carbon than these tables suggest. Data is presently being collected to cover areas of well managed native trees and update the lookup tables.
What economic opportunities exist from native forests?
Potential income streams include carbon credits, honey production, tourism, ecosystem services, and specialty timber.
Can native trees be harvested for timber?
Yes. Some species such as tōtara can be sustainably harvested under certain management systems and regulations.
- Northland Totara Working Group (NTWG)
- Case study: Woodside - Black beech managed as continuous cover forestry
- Form-pruning tōtara for timber production on private land
- Freestyle silviculture in naturally regenerating tōtara forests on private land
- Harvesting tōtara – trialing small-scale, low-impact methods
- Li Legler talking selective harvest
- Planting and managing native trees for multiple purposes
Can native forests coexist with farming operations?
Yes. Integrating native forest into farms can improve environmental outcomes while maintaining productive land elsewhere.
Long-term management
What happens if native forests are left unmanaged?
Many native forests will naturally develop through ecological succession, gradually becoming more diverse over time.
Why is monitoring of your native plantings important?
Monitoring helps track survival, growth, and species diversity, providing information to guide future management.
How long should native forests be protected from grazing?
Permanent exclusion of livestock is generally recommended to allow forests to regenerate naturally.