Species groves
There are four of these groves containing one type of tree each; Kahikitea, Kauri, Rimu and Totara. The Kauri grove is off Shakespeare St, just up the rise from the low-level Ferguson Bridge. The other three are in a field adjacent to the Brian Mayo Reserve.
The Kauri grove was planted by Rotary, but suffered badly from drought and is now under the care of the Council's arborist. The other three were planted by us, and have done well, since they are not in a marginal environment as kauri is.
Kahikatea
This grove was planted about 20 years ago on land which is fairly wet as it is the low point of a large stretch of Green Belt. We have recently added to it as there is more land that is difficult to mow with a big mower and, as it is part of the moist land holding the original planting, it was logical to extend it.
Kauri
As mentioned earlier, this grove was planted by the Cambridge Rotary Club. We and the Council are now looking after it. Cambridge is marginal for kauri, and we have more time available than the Rotarians do for looking after it. We have planted some carex in the gaps left by the removal of dead trees, and we have planted some kauri saplings to see if they will survive in this era of climate change, which should be favourable for them.
Rimu
Rimu seem to produce fruit and/or flowers that are popular with birds. Of all the groves in this group, the Rimu Grove is the one most beset by invasive plants. The video below indicates the extent of the invasion. It's 26 minutes long, and it covers about 3 months' work.
These groves were planted around 25 years before the pictures were taken.
Totara
This grove gets less maintenance than all the others put together. The trees are big and shade out most weeds, which is the whole idea of planting closely.
