Pine grove

Much of the land around Wellington is blighted by prolific gorse bushes (a problem introduced by European immigrants). In many places gorse eradication is under way: planting indigenous species that will eventually grow tall and block light to the gorse. This strategy is still in its infancy and the newly planted indigenous trees will take many years to achieve their full height.

However, I've noticed that every now and again in the bush you can find a small to large grove of pine trees that completely dominates the gorse and forms a lovely micro habitat. At this time of year the ground below the tall, dark trees are littered with pine cones.

The pine grove above has a lovely deep, dappled shade. As you approach the grove there is a heavy perfume of pine, made stronger by thick, resinous sap oozing up through the broken branches of some of the trees. At your feet, deep, green fern fronds push their way up through a soft, dry mattress of pine needles. Above your head tuis and bellbirds flit through the branches and sing their weird dream like songs. On a warm autumn day like today it's the perfect place to linger....if only Luca would stop chonking on the pine cones it would be perfect!