Six mature Wellingtonia trees, hidden amongst Douglas fir trees in the Ben Lomond Forest, were likely to have been the result of Arbor Day plantings in the 1920?s, according to Queenstown resident Mike Lynch.

"They are quite possibly from those early plantings. We all went up there and planted some trees. I did as a boy and my father did before that," Mr Lynch said.

Some long time locals were likely to be aware of the trees, he said.

However the trees had not been formally recognised until now and for people that had not realised the Wellingtonias were there, the trees were a real bonus, Queenstown Lakes District Council parks manager Gordon Bailey said.

"There are six healthy, mature Wellingtonias up there, which are at least 80 years old," Mr Bailey said.

The trees, located to the immediate right of the gondola line and also to the far left, were beginning to tower over the pines and would probably continue to grow in height, Mr Bailey said.

"Once you spot them they actually stand out with different boughs and a lighter colour of green," he said.

It was possible there were more of the trees and a detailed search of the area would eventually be made.

"It's made more difficult by the terrain but we would like to make sure we have identified all of the trees so that they are able to be protected into the future. There may also be some benefit in clearing the immediate area surrounding the trees, that's something we will look into," Mr Bailey said.

A draft forestry report being prepared for the council was expected to recommend that further Wellingtonias be planted on Ben Lomond, QLDC director of parks Paul Wilson said.

"Obviously we are looking at managing wilding conifers and there will be some ongoing clearing of species such as Douglas fir and Larch but that work may be able to be supplemented with the replanting of Sequoia (Wellingtonia), which is less prone to spreading," Mr Wilson said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Gordon Bailey or Paul Wilson 03 441 0499.

By: Sarah