Mixed response to pine tree felling

• Published date: 03 August 2023
• Publication title: Central Otago News

WHAT a difference a month makes

Walking through the Half Mile Recreation Reserve, it’s hard to believe it was ever covered with pines, save for the remnants of felling which remain.

The site blends with the wider landscape as if it was always that way.

For 30 years, archaeologist Matthew Sole has photographed the area downwind of the Half Mile and witnessed the spread of wilding pines.

It was a ‘‘serious problem’’ that was growing, alongside the associated costs to remove them.

People looked at arid landscape and incorrectly assumed the area had low biodiversity, he said.

‘‘That’s the unique thing about Central Otago — what people don’t get — is they look out on this landscape and they see schist and tussock and they think that’s the extent of it.

‘‘In actual fact, on a per square metre basis, [it] is richer than under a beech forest — Central’s pretty unique.’’

Prior to the felling, Mr Sole was contracted by the Central Otago District Council (CODC) to undertake an archaeological survey of the Half Mile. It revealed several sites and features of interest, dating back to the gold rush.

He identified remains of an old carriage way, made of schist cobblestone, which would have stretched from Roxburgh to Alexandra, as well as water races and iron...