44 | “A thriving forest is not just about planting trees, it’s an investment in a farmer’s future. Crew bosses are trained in-house to balance quality, safety and volume so blocks come out thinned to schedule.” Helping farmers get trees in the ground Experienced crew leaders oversee the work to give young natives the best chance of establishing into lasting ecosystems. Karen Phelps Farmers juggling shelterbelts, woodlots or larger forestry blocks alongside their dayto-day stock and cropping work now have a dependable option for getting trees in the ground and keeping them thriving thanks to Ace of Spades (AOS) Contracting. The forestry services company plants, thins, prunes and chemical-releases forests in the Central North Island with more than six million trees established under its watch. For farmers who see forestry as a long-term investment rather than a distraction from the main business, that scale of experience matters, says one of the AOS directors Thomas Te Kurapa. “A thriving forest is not just about planting trees, it’s an investment in a farmer’s future,” explains Thomas. “That’s why our mission aligns with their needs, delivering quality forestry services when needed, ensuring their forest is not just growing but thriving.” He says that many farmers are increasingly using marginal or steep land for woodlots, riparian buffers or shelter planting and it is precisely this kind of terrain that his crews are built for. Teams of six to thirty men work from April to October each year planting Pinus radiata seedlings and remote, steep country does not put them off. The company sorts its own accommodation for crews and sources and delivers seedlings to site taking two logistical headaches off a farmer’s plate. Thinning and pruning are just as important to farmers who have already got trees in the ground, particularly those weighing up harvest value down the track. “Thinning is often a great investment; increasing harvest value while reducing harvest risk,” explains Thomas. “Crew bosses are trained in-house to balance quality, safety and volume so blocks come out thinned to schedule.” RURAL SERVICES » Ace of Spades Contracting The dependable forestry services company delivering quality forestry services when needed, ensuring your forest is not just growing but thriving. AOS crew members are planting, thinning, pruning, and chemical -releasing forests all over New Zealand. 021 128 5413 admin@aoscontracting.co.nz www.aoscontracting.co.nz PINEBANK WAIGROUP ANGUS Contact Us Ph: 06 372 7041 Willie Falloon - 021 945 505 E: falloon.waigroup@xtra.co.nz Home of Pure New Zealand Genetics We aim to breed bulls that pass on traits of growth, fertility, soundness and quiet temperament to their progeny. We produce quality product as a result of this. For farmers with waterways to fence and plant or ecological restoration goals tied to consents or covenants the native and riparian planting service is likely to be of particular interest. Experienced crew leaders oversee the work to give young natives the best chance of establishing into lasting ecosystems and plants can be sourced and delivered at good rates if required. For farmers wanting evidence for carbon registration, work records can be shared online to support that process. Weed and pest control is another area where farmers are catered for. Crews use modern spray equipment with GPS technology to ensure accurate coverage and minimise environmental impact with chemical handling closely supervised for crew safety. Thomas says fire risk is a growing concern for many rural landowners and AOS operates a central North Island forest fire service and can advise farmers on minimising fire risk on their land. Crews have also been called on for wider rural fire response, working alongside Fire and Emergency New Zealand. A team spent three days on Matakana Island managing a major forest fire and thirteen men were deployed to Te Kaha to cut ahead of an advancing scrub fire. With a Central North Island footprint and with clients including larger forestry and forest management companies, Thomas says the aim is simple: “To be the team our clients can call on when their forest, however big or small, needs looking after.”
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