Native plants

Native forest restoration

Kaka feeding on pohutukawa

Planting to restore

Actively replanting an area with the right plants can help recreate native forest that would have once naturally occurred in the locality. To do this successfully takes planning, effort and time. A successful restoration planting should create conditions where native plants can regenerate themselves, so that eventually the planting can be become self-perpetuating like a natural stand of forest. With the right selection of plants, and some luck, successful planting will attract and provide habitat for native birds and other wildlife.

Planning

If you're planting a large area, work out a planting plan well in advance. In the plan you will need to consider:

• the physical characteristics of the area to be planted, and how they will influence what plants will grow
• what site preparation (e.g. fencing, pest and weed control) will be required
• how many and what kinds of plants you will need for the area
• timing for the planting, including the right time of year to plant, and further planting in future years
• how you will obtain the plants you need in time for each planting season.

What to plant

Native forests in the Auckland region are complex, with the region's mild climate supporting a large number of species in numerous combinations. Remnant natural forest areas commonly consist of broadleaved forest interspersed with emergent podocarps such as rimu, totara, miro and kahikatea, and occasional stands of kauri.

Of the broadleaved species, taraire, puriri and kohekohe are very common canopy trees at lower altitudes, with tawa typically becoming more common above around 200m and on cooler south-facing slopes. Cooler sites often support rimu as the most common emergent tree. Beneath any of these canopy trees is usually a profusion of tree ferns, shrubs and lesser plants. In younger regenerating stands of forest, manuka and kanuka are the predominant species, often accompanied by conspicuous ponga in gullies.

Planting tips

• Make sure in advance that the planting site is stock proof and free of pests that would eat your plants (e.g. possums and rabbits)
• Prepare the planting site by removing weeds
• Avoid planting trees in rows! Grouping a few of the same plants together in clumps creates a natural look that mimics nature
• Plant your plants close enough together (e.g. 1m for shrubs), that they can suppress weeds by shading them out
• The goal of planting at this spacing it to create a closed canopy which should happen within a few years as the plants spread out
• Establishing a closed canopy provides good conditions for trees needing more shelter when they are young, such as kauri, rimu and kahikatea. Also, most weeds are light demanding plants. A closed canopy will also help to shade out weeds and make it more difficult for them to establish
• Larger tree species, which will eventually be mature forest trees, should be given more space e.g. 5 - 10 metres apart
• Mulching around the plants will help to stop weeds coming back and help the soil retain moisture.

When to plant

The ideal time for planting is between April and June; through to July at the very latest. Planting at this time of the year gives plants a chance to get established before needing to cope with winter storms, summer heat and dry spells. Only plant outside this time if you can tend your plants regularly.

How to plant

For the details on how to plant your native plants to ensure the best chance of survival, read the Good Start Planting Guide.

Need a visual guide to help you decide on what native plants to use? Check out our  ‘Search for a plant' database.

You may be eligible for a small-scale initiatives funding for any restoration or planting you under take.