Kauri Dieback: What can you do to stop the spread?

 

Kauri dieback or PTA (Phytophthora taxon Agathis) is a disease affecting kauri in various parts of Northland, Auckland, Coromandel and Great Barrier Island. It kills the trees slowly with the telltale signs being gradual loss of foliage and dead branches. Some of the giant kauri in the Waipoua forest are falling victim to PTA.

The Friends of the Brynderwyns Society has invited Graeme Weavers, Northland Regional Council biosecurity specialist, to its AGM on September 27 to talk about the disease.

“It’s something any of us who have kauri on our property or who walk where kauri grow, need to be aware of and know what we can do to prevent its spread,” says society chair Martina Tschirky.

She considers it particularly important now there are walking tracks in the Brynderwyns being used by increasing numbers of people.

The Brynderwyn Hills Walkway is more popular now that it links into the Tanekaha Forest Track and Waterfall Track in the DOC Reserve accessed off King Road.

The Mangawhai Tracks Charitable Trust has warning signs and cleaning gear available at the start and while many walkers use it, some do not bother.

Graeme Weavers’ presentation will cover the symptoms of kauri dieback, where it is in our area, how it spreads and what we can do to help prevent this happening. He will also be able to outline research being undertaken and the latest developments in the battle to save this iconic species.

Kauri were once predominant in the Brynderwyns and those that remain or are regenerating need our help to survive. All are welcome to come and learn how.

n Friends of the Brynderwyns Society, Domain Hall, Moir St, 2.30pm, 27 September 2015.