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There are a number of reserves, some dedicated to forestry, totalling
550 ha which have been managed more or less effectively to meet long term
goals however the remaining 75$ of the island under freehold and leasehold
tenure appears subject to little coordinated land-use planning.
The Pine
The Norfolk Island pine, Araucaria heterophylla (Salisb.) Franco.,
is the best known of the species endemic to Norfolk Island (Turner, Smithers
and Hoogland 1968). It is a member of the Araucariaceae, a coniferous
family which includes only one other genus, Agathis. The genus Araucaria
includes, in addition to the Norfolk species, two from South America (one
of which is the subject of a paper at this symposium), two from New Guinea,
two from mainland Australia (Queensland) and seven from New Caledonia.
Lane-Poole (1926) gives an excellent description of the Norfolk
species which he regarded as a timber tree of the first order:
'It has not the formal appearance of the park-grown Norfolk Island pine
in Australia, but from quite near appears rather as a tree of the
genus Pinus. For the first 30 years it reminds one of a Noah's ark
or sampler tree... then its habit alters, the outline becomes irregular.
The pine assumes a more rugged profile and gains character. The
growth in diameter appears to be fairly constant to 80 years (when
the tree may be harvested) and the maximum height is 180 feet. Some
of the huge pines of early days were made into historic monuments but
all these have disappeared; only a dozen of the trees of pre-convict
days are left and these are broken-topped giants with hollow hearts.’
The species has been planted widely overseas having been introduced
to England in 1793 shortly after the first settlement was established on
the Island. Appreciable areas of plantations have been established in
South Africa and in the Hawaiian Islands, basically for timber production,
but it is for its horticultural qualities that the Norfolk Island pine is
best known. It is very popular in the Mediterranean region and other
countries with similar climate and the species is also used widely as
potted specimens in greenhouses and buildings.
On Norfolk Island the pine provides a large number and variety of
values. It is the dominant feature of the attractive landscape, it
supplies some timber for local consumption, it provides shelter for stock
and crops as well as the human population and its roots bind the soil
particularly on the steep cliff edges and the dissected terrain of the
higher areas of the island. Seeds from the Island's trees are collected
and distributed all over the world for horticultural and timber production
purposes. Like any other endemic island species it is very interesting
scientifically as the basis for taxonomic, genetic and evolutionary
research and it is most important that an adequate gene resource be
Preserved in its natural environment. Since the economy of the Island is
almost totally dependent on tourism and one of the major attractions for
tourists is the breathtaking scenery, the preservation of the wooded,
lush character of the island is of paramount importance. The existence
of the pine in all its forms contributes to a very substantial degree to
the natural beauty of the landscape.