Wilding pine

Wilding pines are species of conifer that have self-seeded and are growing where they shouldn’t. They have a significant impact on native ecosystems, pose a fire hazard, and can reduce water availability.

Description

• Not all conifer species are a problem in this region - some are more spread-prone and invasive than others.
• There are ten introduced species of pine, fir, and larch that are responsible for most of the wilding problem we have in Canterbury/Waitaha.
• Conifers are woody plants that have cones instead of flowers.
• You can identify conifer species by the appearance of their needles, cones and bark using the Wilding Conifer Quick ID Guide.
• Seeds dispersed by wind. Human-mediated dispersal through deliberate plantings.
• Habitats include hill and high country, open areas, coastal areas, shrublands, canopy gaps, plantations, hedgerows, and roadsides.

What you need to know

Exotic conifers, including pines, were introduced to Aotearoa New Zealand for use as timber, shelter and erosion control. They adapted well here and grew and spread too quickly, creating dense infestations.

They have a significant impact on native ecosystems, particularly those with low-stature vegetation. Rapidly forms dense stands that outcompete low-stature native plants, this can lead to local extinction of these native plant communities. Reduces available grazing land for agriculture and other land uses. Can reduce surface water flows and water availability.

Wilding pines can also increase the risk posed by wildfires. All the negative impacts outlined above can adversely affect Ngāi Tahu values for culturally important landscapes, sites and landforms; impacts on mahinga kai; and impacts on the mauri of streams and wetlands.

Management approach

We have been involved in wilding pine control since 2003. In 2016, we partnered with the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme (NWCCP) to plan and coordinate control across Canterbury/Waitaha.
We control wilding pines in Canterbury/Waitaha in 16 areas, called management units.

Our goals are to:

• remove wilding conifers from the landscape
• eliminate seed sources wherever possible
• transition the management of wilding pine control back to the landholder.

The National Wilding Conifer Control Programme (NWCCP) led by Biosecurity NZ was established in 2016 to ensure a collaborative, coordinated and effective approach to national wilding management.

Programme partners include central and local government, community stakeholder groups, mana whenua, researchers, industry and private landowners.

The NWCCP exists to deliver on the outcomes of the National Wilding Conifer Management Strategy 2015-2030. Its vision is to prevent the spread of wilding conifers and contain or eradicate established areas of wilding conifers by 2030.

Control

Wilding pines are classified as pests in Waitaha/Canterbury’s Regional Pest Management Plan (CRPMP) and are in the Progressive Containment programme. The outcome of this programme is to contain or reduce the geographic distribution of the subject to an area.

No one may sell, propagate or distribute wilding pines or the conifer species declared pests in Canterbury within Canterbury.

The scenarios in the Wilding Conifer Rules (PDF file, 2.35MB) explain who is responsible under the CRPMP to manage wilding conifers to prevent reinfestation on property.

Use the Wilding Pine Handbook to identify pest species on your land, select the best control method and choose replacement plants that won’t cause problems for you and your neighbours.

For more information visit the Wilding Pine Eradication Programme page.