Our May trip was in two parts – the first part was to look at two Landcare Research biocontrol research plots for tradescantia and broom and then we moved on to visit Massey Arboretum. On a lovely sunny morning, 10 of us met at the research site and were met by Jack Keast, Horizons Biosecurity Officer – Plants. Jack first talked to us about biocontrol for our invasive plants and how they were tested. Then we moved on to the research plot for the trandescantia leaf beetle. Here we saw how the beetle was damaging the plant which will eventually lead to the plant dying. We then moved on to see the damage to broom caused by the broom gall mite. Jack explained at each site how the trandescantia leaf beetle and broom gall mite worked on the plants and how the biocontrol agents spread. All to soon we moved to the second part of our trip – Massey Arboretum. Although right on our doorstep, it was a first for most of us - a visit to the Massey Arboretum, lying behind Bledisloe Park. Dr. Marion Mackay, Senior Lecturer in Environment Management, Massey University, led us on a guided walk through the autumn leaves relating stories and history along the way. The idea for an arboretum germinated in 1943 but it was only when Dave Bull came on the scene in the early 1970’s that it really blossomed. As Head Groundsman Dave established most of the collection from his visits to far off and mysterious places, with a bit of trading around with other like-minded collectors to get something a little extra. The Arboretum is certainly an asset to the city. Peeling bark, winter flowers and autumn colours made for a lovely walk this autumn, but certainly worth a wander any season." Text by Anthea McClelland and Vivienne McGlynn |
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