Our thoughts on what’s new in the bush reserves around Ngaio.

Pukatea track – Spring 2011

It‘s getting busy in the Orleans-Makererua Reserve.

New growth

As the weather gets warmer the plants and trees in the Reserve are getting active. Just walking through the Track it looks much the same from one week to the next. But some careful observation reveals that a lot is happening.

Encouraged by the ideal damp conditions, tiny new seedlings are beginning to appear where the conditions are right – not much leaf litter – and last year’s seedlings are beginning to grow with tiny shoots often visible at the top.

New growth is easier to see on young plants up to a metre or so high. In the centre of the topmost leaves, especially of young kohekohe, small shoots are forming.

Although they are hard to detect, long young supplejack shoots, black and bare of leaves, are growing upwards reaching for the necessary support to wind around as they seek to reach the the high leaf canopy. Ferns are just beginning to show new growth.

Fruit

The many big kohekohes in the bush finished flowering a couple of months ago. The flowering was much lighter than last year but fruit is beginning to form on the spurs that emerge from the trunks and branches of these trees – a most peculiar habit. These will grow into the appearance of bunches of grapes over the summer.

The young fruit can be seen from the track in several places including on a large tree to the right of the track just 30 or so metres in from Makererua St and, at the other end, the tree on the sharp bend of the track getting near to the Orleans Green. There must be many more out of sight in the canopy of the bush.

Much more will be happening high up in the canopy, but that’s just for the birds.

A slow walk through the Reserve can be very rewarding. Similar things can be seen in other reserves in Ngaio and elsewhere.

Ngaio bush – Winter 2010

Early winter is an interesting time to take advantage of the bush and bush walks around Ngaio and Crofton Downs.  All you need is good footwear and warm clothing.

Vegetation

The native vegetation is recovering from the dry autumn that was beginning to take a toll on some species. Plants have been making some late growth before their winter rest.  There has been a copious crop of fruit on trees and creepers.

The orange rinds of the native passionfruit growing high in the canopy can often be seen on paths in the bush. Native birds are well fed and tuis and pigeons in particular are numerous, active and voluble.

Another feature of the bush at this time of the year is the growth of fungi in rotting wood. Most are  dull browns but some are brightly coloured. They are an essential part of the bush growth cycle.

Bush walks

The bush walks around Ngaio have plenty of rewards this season.

Trellissick Park is looking wonderful because of the tremendous growth this season and the unrelenting work of the Park Group and its volunteers. The stream is now back in full flow.

Work is almost complete on a newish track that you may not yet be familiar with. The Pukatea Track runs between Makererua  (off Heke) and Orleans Streets. This is an easy, winding 10 minute walk – although the terrain is steep. Volunteers recently finished gravelling it.

The Pukatea Track runs through a tiny reserve with some notable trees, especially two splendid old specimens of pukatea and kahikatea and several fine hinaus. Highly recommended.  It was built and is being maintained by local volunteers working under the auspices of Wellington City Council.