3 - Southland Native Shelterbelt Planting

Why Create a Native Shelterbelt?

• It provides dense shelter from ground level up
• It looks attractive, with a variety of textures and colours, shapes and heights
• It provides wildlife habitat and attracts native birds. 
• It provides a small piece of forest or a wildlife corridor
• After initial establishment, it is largely maintenance free.  It does not need topping.
• By using locally sourced native plants you will have more chance of the plants being adapted to local conditions and climate, i.e. eco-sourcing

Eco-sourcing means sourcing plants from your local area. Plants sourced from the local area are better adapted to conditions there, are more likely to survive and will help to preserve the distinctiveness of plants from the region. As a general principle select plants from seeds collected as close as possible to where you want to plant. As a minimum standard use seeds or plants from within the region e.g. Southland region.

Key Design Features

Plants may be planted in groups, or randomly placed (see profile over page for example of plant spacing).  The plants recommended for the exposed edge are those which are hardy to wind.  However, the Olearia species are not as frost hardy as the other species. 

Pittosporum species (black mapou and lemonwood) are generally used more abundantly than other species in the shelterbelt.  It is important that plants which will grow to a large height are not used.  Wider multi-row belts are more successful than single row belts as each plant supports and protects its neighbours.  Where the shelterbelt is next to a fence, windbreak cloth may be attached to the fence to provide protection for the plants in their initial stages.

Native Shelterbelt Profile

(Environment Canterbury and Lincoln University, 2003)

References

• Department of Conservation, Nelson-Malborough Conservancy and Nelson City Council (2003) Living Heritage: Growing Native Plants in Nelson.
• Environment Canterbury and Lincoln University (2003) Establishing Shelter in Canterbury with Nature Conservation in Mind.
• Invercargill City Council (2001) Otatara - Bushy Point Bushcare: A Guide to Enhancing Your Bush. Wilson, H.D. (1982) Field Guide: Stewart Island Plants. Christchurch: Field Guide Publications.