Radiata pine more invasive than previously thought, levy suggested

Radiata pine more invasive than previously thought, levy suggested
Researchers want a tax on pine trees to curb their unwanted spread.(Image: Supplied)
Greg Hurrell
New Zealand’s predominant commercial tree, the radiata pine, is spreading into the wild far more than previously thought, a new research paper shows.This would have implications for the planned One Billion Trees programme which includes plantation forests.The researchers have suggested levying economic use of the tree, also known as pinus radiata, to offset the cost of managing invasions.Radiata pine is by far the largest contributor to NZ’s forestry industry, making up 90% of the total plantation area. It contributes around 3% of G...

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