Wildling Pines successfully removed near Lake Wānaka

The Upper Clutha Wilding Tree Group has removed 1700 wilding pines from the 2000-hectare Stevenson’s Peninsula, in a collaboration with Mount Burke Station landowner Tim Burdon.

The work near Lake Wānaka was carried out in November 2024, and involved a total of 409 hours of intensive clearing.

 The Upper Clutha Wilding Tree Group (UCWTG) is a relative newcomer to the fight against wilding pines.

The community group is supported by funding from ORC and QLDC, they have just completed their first major wilding pine control operation, on Stevenson's Peninsula, Lake Wānaka.

Left uncontrolled, this iconic peninsula would ultimately be cloaked in an exotic pine forest which would displace the native kanuka, grey shrubland and snow tussock grasslands.

The work was funded from grants provided to the group by QLDC and ORC, and a contribution from Mount Burke Station landowner Tim Burdon.

“As a landowner I could not afford to achieve control on this scale. It is hugely satisfying to be part of the collaboration of public/private funding to clear Stevenson's Peninsula of wilding pines in one operation,” Mr Burdon Says.

The work was completed by Central Wilding Tree Control and Landcare Services and Aspiring Helicopters, with the help of Wanaka Water Taxis for boat access. Ground crews used chainsaws to fell the coning trees.

Where wilding pines were sparse, ground crews were dropped in and out by helicopter.

Tim Burdon’s involvement in removing these wilding pines on his property and helping protect this outstanding natural landscape on the doorstep of Wānaka, was commended by the UCWTG.

“It is in everyone’s' interest to protect the outstanding landscapes and native biodiversity of the Upper Clutha area. ORC are proud to support UCWTG’s efforts in protecting our beautiful Otago landscapes,” ORC’s Project Delivery Specialist - Biosecurity Programmes Gavin Udy says.

Main image (supplied): Work from last month's efforts to remove wildling pines from near Lake Wanaka.