Struggle against wildings

11-08-2010 | Not Specified

Wilding pines have become a huge problem on Braemar. Hamish says they have been struggling to manage them despite spending a lot of time and money on control.

They have been working with the Department of Conservation to put a manage­ment plan in place.

Every year the wildings are spreading further south from a seed source on a neighbouring station and while the Mackenzies try to take out the trees on Braemar, the seed remains active in the ground for three to five years.

The trees are most problematic on the leasehold area of the farm as the freehold land has been fertilised and is more intensively grazed, which stops the seedlings from getting established.

Julia doesn't believe the trees will be able to be effectively controlled until a cost-effective systemic spray becomes available.

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