Heritage Totara Forest Planting Project
A new Totara forest planting project has been approved for the Bushtown Heritage
Park. This document includes a background to the project and a registration form. If
you wish to participate please complete the registration form and return with the $150
deposit to P O Box 43, Waimate.
Objectives
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To celebrate the mighty Totara forests that were once endemic in the Waimate District
To establish a 2.5hectare (approximately) Totara forest within the Bushtown Heritage Park
To raise revenue from the planting of Totara trees and other Native species.
Heritage Statement
The mighty Totara was a target species for the Sawmillers who settled in Waimate in the 1800’s. Our
history records from the early 1850’s, Pit Milling operations became established in what was then
called the Te Waimatemate area. As far we know the early milling days focused on the forest fringes
located near what is now known as Mill Road. We also know milling operations were carried out close
to our Bushtown Heritage Park site.
James Bruce established the first steam driven mill in 1866 at which time the Totara Forest harvest
began in earnest. At the time of the disastrous fire of 1878 at least 5 steam driven sawmills and an
unknown number of Pit mills were operating in an area extending from William Street to Kelceys Bush.
The Totara lumber sourced from the Waimate area quickly gained a reputation for quality and was
often shipped to many parts of NZ as well as Internationally. Builders heralded the lumber as being
very stable, it could be easily machined and had outstanding durability characteristics.
Locally the Te Waimate Woolshed, St.Augustines Church, Knox Presbyterian Church and the Waituna
Hall (the old School building) all contain Totara lumber milled in these early pioneering days. The very
good ground durability characteristics also saw Totara used extensively by farmers for making fence
posts. Many examples of these can still be seen around the Waimate District today.
The Bushtown Heritage Forest Project sets out to recreate the mighty Totara forests that once
adorned the Waimate District Landscape. Individuals, families, interest groups or companies now
have the opportunity to participate in this project by planting Totara seedlings on designated areas
within the Bushtown Heritage Park.
The Bushtown Committee want to ensure every tree planting is a special event for the participants.
Every tree will be permanently marked with a plaque and be located by GPS co-ordinates. This is an
opportunity to establish a very special moment in time and create a forest we can all be proud of.
Bushtown (Waimate) Inc.
P O Box 43, Waimate. 7960
Secretary; Ann Dennison
Chairman; Allan Laurie
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The Totara Forest Project
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All seedlings will be supplied by local Nurseries from locally sourced seed
All tree locations will be pre-marked
Each tree will be located by GPS co-ordinates
Bushtown personnel will be onsite and provide assistance during planting
Each tree will be identified on a planting plan on display in the Auditorium
A plaque will be placed by every tree denoting the tree number, the name of the donor and the
date
The tree will be nurtured by Bushtown staff/management/team
Bushtown personnel can plant the tree for the aged, disabled or non resident participants with
the same benefits applying
A photo will be taken of every tree planting event and placed in the Bushtown Totara album on
display in the Auditorium.
A photo will also be placed on the Bushtown web site from where it can be downloaded and/or
printed out
The tree donor will receive a framed certificate incorporating a photograph of the planting, and
including the GPS co-ordinates
The tree donor will also receive a photograph and letter of thanks from the Chairman /
President / CEO of Bushtown
Process
Participants are invited to plant a Totara tree on the Bushtown site. They can elect to plant their
seedling during 2010, 2011, 2012 or 2013. Spaces will be allocated on a first in first served basis.
There will be a total of approximately 750 Totara planting sites allocated and a series of walking tracks
will provide access to all sites.
A series of days will be allocated during the year for tree planting opportunities. We can arrange
special times for planting outside of allocated days where required.
An additional 20,000 native Colonising and Podocarp species will also be planted to create the forest.
These additional plantings will involve local groups/organisations/schools as much as possible to
ensure a sense of ownership. The additional seedlings will be planted to provide a protection
screening and microclimate for the Totara forest. Some of these additional seedlings will eventually
be sacrificed as the main Totara forest develops.
A completed registration form will be required to secure the opportunity to plant a Totara seedling or
seedlings. Bushtown staff can complete a registration form on behalf, but the participant or approved
representative must sign the form.
Payment
Donors can elect to pay the base price of $550 including GST per seedling or pay the base price plus
an elective additional amount of $100 (incl GST) to help fund the purchase and planting of the
additional 20,000 seedlings required.
A minimum deposit of $150 will be payable on completion of the registration form with the balance due
within one month of planting.
Donors can also elect to pay the balance by instalments. Please talk to a Bushtown representative
about the options.
Website
www.bushtown.co.nz Read all about it on this site –
An impressive coverage of Bushtown past, present & future.
Bushtown (Waimate) Inc.
P O Box 43, Waimate. 7960
Secretary; Ann Dennison
Chairman; Allan Laurie
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Totara Planting Registration Form
The Bushtown Committee wish to extend their sincere thanks for your generous support of our project
and confirm we are committed to ensuring your tree is well nurtured and maintained. We will work
strenuously to ensure the tree you have planted retains your identity. Please also refer to the
information handout.
Please circle what best describes the tree planter (donor)
Individual
Family
Group
Company
Company or Organisation:
First Name:
Home Phone:
Middle Name:
Cell Phone:
Family
Name
Address
Email Address
Preferred year of planting (please circle)
2010
2011
2012
2013
Preferred Month to plant, we recommend planting in September, October or November
(Someone from Bushtown will make contact to arrange your tree planting event)
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Please confirm how many trees you would like to plant (please circle)
one
two
three
four
Nov
Dec
(State)
The cost of a Totara tree is $550 including GST. You can also elect to pay a further $100 per tree to
assist with the costs of establishing a supporting Native forest within the Bushtown Park. You can
also confirm you are able to assist with the planting and/or maintenance of the supporting forest.
I/we wish to confirm we are pleased to assist by paying an additional $100
toward the cost of the supporting forest
Yes No
(please circle)
I/we wish to confirm we can assist with the planting of the supporting forest.
Yes No
(please circle)
Bushtown (Waimate) Inc.
P O Box 43, Waimate. 7960
Secretary; Ann Dennison
Chairman; Allan Laurie
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In signing this registration form the donor accepts they are entering into a contract with Bushtown to
plant a Totara tree on the Bushtown Heritage Park site. A deposit of $150 is payable on completion of
this registration. The balance is payable within one month of planting.
In completing this registration we acknowledge your contribution and trust our commitment to you and
you to us, confirms our belief in this project and the future of our community. We also acknowledge
our collective preparedness to support the environment through the establishment of a native forest
that will be a reflection of what was once the mighty forests that were a significant part of the Waimate
Landscape.
Tree Planter
Bushtown representative
Date:_____________________________
Date ____________________________
Signature: _________________________
Signature:______________________________
Print Name: _______________________
Print Name: ____________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
For Office use only
Deposit paid
Date
Amount
Received by
Sign
Name (print)
Full amount paid
Date
Amount
Received by
Sign
Name (print)
Bushtown (Waimate) Inc.
P O Box 43, Waimate. 7960
Secretary; Ann Dennison
Chairman; Allan Laurie
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