Wairarapa Branch

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Branch contact: wairarapa@treecrops.org.nz
Branch news and notices are below.
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Wairarapa – Hazels in Hawkes Bay and Woodville

Some of you expressed an interest in the Hazelnut Growers Group established through the Tararua District Council.

Murray Redpath has sent the following message. If you are interested please turn up to either or both of the pruning sessions:

Hazelnut Pruning Field days organized by Hawkes Bay branch of NZ Tree Crops Association and the recently formed North Island Hazelnut Action Group (part of the Hazelnut Growers Association of NZ).

Saturday 27th July – Hastings – more details…

Hazelnut field day – Sunday 28th July – Woodville

Kevin and Joan’s property, North Street, Woodville at 1 pm

35 year old trees; mainly Barcelona, a few Nottingham (well out of control).
Unknown pollinator. Murray will have some younger trees available to show how to prune them as well.

Wairarapa – Feijoa interest with Tararua District Council

Tararua District Council (TDC) has identified Feijoas as one of a number of crops suitable for growing in the Tararua District and surrounding areas. TDC plans to hold a workshop in June for those interested in growing and selling Feijoas.

They are seeking expressions of interest for
1. People who would be willing to act as speakers at a workshop;
2. People who would be interested in attending a Workshop.

Could you please let me know if you have an interest in either by Close of Business on Wednesday 29th May.

You may remember that TDC has already run a workshop for Hazelnut Growers. This has resulted in a North Island Hazelnut Grower Led Group to identify the commercial capability of the crop.

If you require any further information please email me.

Julie Winder,
Secretary,
Wairarapa Branch, NZ Tree Crops Association.

Wairarapa – citrus block and more

Dear Tree Croppers,

Our next Tree Crops Field Day is on Sunday 26th May 2013.
Because it gets dark early, we will start promptly at 2.00 pm.

The field day will be to SAUNDRIDGE the property of John and Jan, Upper Plain Road, RD8 Masterton.

The property comprises a citrus block (planted 2002), a walnut block and an olive grove (both planted 2001).

We visited this property in April 2006 as part of the NZ Tree Crops Conference which was hosted by the Wairarapa Branch. Of particular interest is the citrus block of oranges, lemons, limes and mandarins. It will be exciting to see how the block has developed since conference.

We look forward to seeing you at the field day.

Julie W

Wairarapa – Field Day – AGM

Field Day – Sunday 3rd February 2013 at 2.00pm

Join us for the first field day for 2013, a visit to Whispering Winds.
This is the property of Jan (Yarn) and Maryann, No 1 Line, RD1 Featherston.
The 5Ha block contains a wide variety of ornamental and fruit trees and conifers.
They also operate a homestay from the property. The Branch visited a few years ago when it was being developed and it will be good to see how the plantings have matured.

The visit will be followed by the Branch AGM at 3.30 pm at Dave and Tamara’s property Cedar Ridge, Te Maire Road, Kahutara.

We hope to see as many of you as possible at the Field Day and AGM.

Wairarapa – Field day – what to plant and where

The final field day for 2012 – Sunday 9 December 2012

Lunch – Join fellow Tree Croppers for Lunch before Christmas.

We will start at 12 noon with a buy your own lunch at Cahoots Café, 91 Main Street, Greytown. The Branch will provide some wine.
Cahoots provides a wide range of food from pastries and sandwiches, through to cooked meals.

Visit – Help a new Tree Cropper with ideas of what to plant and where.

At 2.30 we will meet at the property of Marilyn, Waitangi Road, Carterton.

Marilyn joined NZ Tree Croppers last year. She is starting to develop her property and is looking for information and ideas of what to plant and where.

Come and share your ideas of what has worked well for you and what you wouldn’t do again!

Amongst Marilyn’s ideas are: bees; saffron; lavender and essential oils on the drier south-western side and perhaps restoration of the wetter areas to the north-eastern side down to the race. Currently she is just planting without a clear plan. She does have a structural idea of concentric circles going out from the house; natives round the outside and maybe some orchards in traditional forms (squares and rectangles.)

The block is basically square and flat. It is just less than 8 acres. It has a water race under the trees on the north-eastern side. The section is boggy in winter in some places.

Currently the property is over grown. It has a house to lock-up stage. Please note that there are no water and toilet facilities on the property.

Please feel welcome to come to both lunch and the visit, or either part. For catering purposes at Cahoots could you please let me know if you are coming to lunch so we can reserve part of the café? –by Close of Business on Wednesday 5 December.

Hazelnut Growers Workshop – Tararua District Council, Dannevirke

Tararua District Council has identified particular crops which it thinks will be viable for the the area.
This workshop will introduce the project and allow for questions.
Murray Redpath, Natonal Tree Crops President and hazelnut expert is making a presentation.
This is an open invitation from Tararua District Council to NZTCA members, particulalrly those in the Tararua Disitrict to attend this workshop.
If you are interested, just turn up.

Wairarapa – Pruning demonstration field day

Sunday 26th August 2012

1pm. at SH2 South Greytown.

Join us for a pruning demonstration at the property of Richard and Julie Winder. Eric Cairns will show you how he prunes apples, pears and quinces, figs and feijoas. Other crops that may be included are stone pines, hazelnuts, pomegranates and citrus. Eric has been involved with Tree Crops for many years and has wonderful knowledge and experience.

Afternoon tea will be provided but please let us know if you are able to come for catering purposes. Please phone (04) 529-8925 by Thursday 23rd August if you are going to attend.

Directions to venue:
If travelling south towards Featherston we are almost exactly 4kms as you leave Greytown on the left hand side. If travelling north towards Greytown we are about 1 km on the right past No 1 Line. There will be a Tree Crops banner on the fence.