Detour keeps walkers away from sick kauri
MARYKE PENMAN
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A soil and water borne disease has ravaged kauri trees along the Okura bush walk, forcing a realignment of the popular track.
Phytophthora taxon agathis (PTA) infects the roots of kauri trees causing the yellowing of foliage, canopy thinning and lesions in the bark that bleed resin.
Most infected kauri die as a result and the disease, found in microscopic spores in soil, has killed thousands of trees since it was discovered in 2008.
In December the Conservation Department began the track upgrade at Okura from Haigh Access Rd to Dacre Cottage in Karepiro Bay.
DOC spokesman Peter Smith says the upgrade will ensure the track can be used all year round and it should reduce the spread of kauri dieback to the remaining healthy trees.
The upgrade covers 4.5km of the Okura bush walkway and is due to be completed by the end of February.
"In recent years the track has deteriorated and in winter becomes unusable for all but the hardiest trampers and runners," Mr Smith says.
New drains are being laid to keep the track drier over the wetter months, metal has been spread on the track surface and new steps are being built over the headland near Karepiro Bay.
The major realignment will occur in the middle section of the track.
Realigning the track will keep walkers away from areas where PTA has affected kauri, preventing the spread of the disease through muddy footwear and equipment placed on the contaminated ground.
"It's important users stay on the track once it is realigned. Some users have used shortcuts in the past which greatly increases the risk of kauri dieback being spread," Mr Smith says.
Some locals have expressed concern over the removal of some kauri trees, but DOC says it has only felled smaller trees and has not touched the significant kauri.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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