Central Otago Tree Growers

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Branch contact - central-otago@treecrops.org.nz
Branch news and notices are below.
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Central Otago Tree Growers – 2015 Christmas pot-luck lunch

2015 CHRISTMAS POT-LUCK LUNCH
PLANT SWAP AND PROPAGATION TALKFEST

Juliet has offered to host our final event of the year at her property near Arrowtown.

LUNCH – we are asking everyone to bring a savoury or sweet dish to share.
PLANT- SWAP. – This will follow lunch. We are asking everyone to bring some potted up plants to swap. Get organised now to propagate some cuttings, pot up some suckers or grow some seeds. Be prepared to talk about your plants; how they were propagated, how you use them and the growing conditions they require.

We would like this meeting to be a fun session to celebrate the end of the year; but also to be a session where we can learn from each other and discuss propagation – its problems and success rates.

There will be some desirable plants, some valuable advice and an opportunity to get to know what everybody else is growing.

Put this date in your diary NOW.

SUNDAY – 29 th NOVEMBER at 12 noon
VENUE – McDonnell Rd Arrowtown.

Central Otago – Grafting session September 2015

GRAFTING SESSION

A grafting session has been arranged for the 20 September at 1.30 pm.on the property of our secretary, Paul, Hillview Rd, Alexandra.
2 free rootstocks per membership should be available. Unfortunately the nursery was unable to supply our total request for pear rootstock, so these will initially be limited to 1 per membership, although obviously if supply exceeds demand we will increase this.
Members of the public who attend can purchase 1 apple rootstock for 10 dollars. Alternatively they can join the branch on the day for 50 dollars, and will then qualify for the membership deal (i.e. 2 free rootstocks).
It would be appreciated if people who wish to buy rootstock have small denomination notes available as it makes transactions easier and quicker.
We will be serving afternoon tea at the meeting. If you wish to bring along your latest culinary success it will be welcome, but we are quite happy if you just bring yourself.

Address: Hillview Rd, Alexandra.
Directions:
FROM CROMWELL: Turn left into Springvale Rd at the bottom of the Clyde Dam hill then right into
Dunstan Rd. Continue past Airport Rd then second left into Hillview Rd.
FROM ALEXANDRA: On the Omakau Rd, turn into Station Rd, right into Chicago St, 2nd left into
Dunstan Rd.
Follow Hillview Rd to the top. No 136 is the first on the right after you leave the seal.
If you are attending this grafting session please bring
– pruning knife or stanley (box cutter) knife
– secateurs
– nail file helpful

SAFETY DECLARATION
For the purpose of Field Days, the properties we visit are designated as workplaces. As there are multiple hazards, please take care. Parents are responsible for their children.
Any communications about this newsletter should be sent to Alison.

Central Otago Branch – 2015 July Meeting – pruning

July Meeting – Central Otago Treegrowers

Pruning – Alex Huffadine

Cromwell Polytech – Bannockburn Campus [just out of Cromwell on Bannockburn Road]

1.30 pm Sunday 26 July

Committee meeting at 12.30 pm

Central Otago Branch – Events to April 2015

Central Otago Tree Growers NEWSLETTER – APRIL 2015

RECENT EVENTS

We have had two meetings this year. The A.G.M. Was held in March. A review of this meeting is followed by a list of the new committee and an introduction to two members who have not served before, our new chair, Jeffrey F and Ngaio H, a new recruit to the committee.

The second meeting was held in April. A review of this by Sue M is followed by a chart showing the availability of cider apple scion wood held by Ian. There is also an article on sterilising apple juice for cider.

Many of us who have purchased land in Central Otago have been faced with the problem of poor soil. I have asked two of our members, Valda M and Paul D, to give us a history of their land and the measures they have taken to improve their soil. I hope this proves useful to all of us and especially to those who are embarking on a new life on the land.

Extract from April 2015 newsletter

NZTCA National Conference 2015 Northland Branch

NZTCA annual national event, March 20~22, 2015

‘Conference 2015’ hosted by Northland Branch

Biological Growing

– Expert Speakers and Workshops include organic agriculture, bio fuel, seaweed-sourced fertilisers – soil food, moth pheromones and apples, herbs and plants to attract beneficial insects.

– Field trips include a Kiwifruit orchard, Avocado orchard, and a sub tropical nursery & gardens.

Bookings closed – sorry.
Conference 2016 details coming soon…

Details on page Conference 2015 and in December 2014 TreeCropper.

NZTCA 40th National Conference 2014 notice, April 11-12-13

CONFERENCE 2014 notice: NZTCA 40th National Conference
2014 April 11-12-13
Ashburton, South Island

WATER: The Elixir of Life: The field trips, north and south, allowed you to see up close the efforts being made in this part of Canterbury to ‘farm the water’, while at the same time visiting many excellent places of interest to Tree Crop members and giving a wider view of this area in autumn.

Details on page conference-2014 and in December 2013 TreeCropper.

Central Otago Tree Growers – The Great Autumn Apple Drive

The Great Autumn Apple Drive

When

Saturday, April 12th, 10am-4pm

Where

Rippon Hall, 246 Mount Aspiring Road, Wanaka

More details on what to bring and the format of the day can be found on the Local Food Wanaka Website

Central Otago Tree Growers – Field visit to Bronwyn Hunt and Paul Dodgshun plantings

Field visit to Bronwyn Hunt and Paul Dodgshun plantings

When

Sunday, April 6th, 12:30pm

Where

Hillview Road, Alexandra, Otago

Treegrowers last visited here in 2010, so come back and see how things have fared.

Some pecans are carrying their first nuts and the young pistachio trees are getting established. We seem to be making progress along the propagation learning curve of both in this climate.

Things to see and discuss: Nursery, irrigation, solar power, apples, compost and mulch, soil fertility, home garden and orchard, pecan and pistachio plantings, shelter belts, chestnuts, chooks, hazels, pests, problems, successes and failures.

Join us for a pot luck / bring your own lunch. We’ll have a meet and mingle and cuppa at 12.30pm or arrive for a look around at 1.30pm if that suits your travel plans better.
Please note that Daylight saving finishes on the previous day.