The story of the jetty forest
When most people build a wharf or jetty, there are two options – imported Australian hardwood (known for durability) or treated pine (known for being cheaper).
Saving money is like raising money in terms of being able to start the rebuild, and that’s why it piqued our interest when Mark Belton of Governors Bay suggested a third option – buy and mill local hardwood trees. He knew someone who knew someone with a forest in Little River, and he could take us to meet the owner of the trees…
The rest is history. The first Eucalyptus globoidea trees were felled on 2 December 2019, watched at a safe distance by jetty Trustees. They (trees, not Trustees) were planted in the early 1900s by the forward-thinking Reverend Simmons for future use in buildings, jetties, and other structures on the Banks Peninsula.
Not only is this an environmental win because the wood is local and doesn’t need chemical treatment for use in decking, handrails, and stringers, there is a significant cost saving compared to imported Australian hardwood.
“It takes a village to save a jetty,” said Trust Chair, Simon Mortlock. “This is only possible thanks to the generosity of the Pike family, who own the forest. We are so grateful to them for allowing us to take some trees from this stunning forest.” In a forest of a thousand trees, this selective harvesting not only benefits the jetty, but helps the health of the forest, allowing younger trees to grow.
Read the story on Stuff (includes a video of a tree being felled).
