Get advice on planting trees
It’s a good idea to talk to experts before you start planning or planting your forest.
Who to contact
Your tree planting should be in line with regional or national good practice for the type of activity you’re doing. You can get guidance to help you plan your planting projects from a number of organisations. It's a good idea to consider hiring a forestry consultant to help you.
You can contact:
- regional council land management teams
- industry body catchment or extension officers
- the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association
- New Zealand Institute of Forestry registered forestry consultants.
New Zealand Farm Forestry Association
New Zealand Institute of Forestry: Registered members
Good practice guidance for planting
Your regional council will have local guides for the types of trees best suited to your location. Many councils have land management teams who can help you with advice and will often have additional funding options available.
Local Government New Zealand – council maps and websites
Your local plant nursery or garden centre can provide advice on what trees and plants do well in your area.
It's worth talking to neighbours who've planted forest on their land too.
Information for native (indigenous) planting
The Department of Conservation, Tane’s Tree Trust and Trees That Count have guidance to help you plan a native planting or ecological restoration project.
- Resources – Trees That Count
- Regional guides for planting natives – Trees That Count
- Getting started in planting natives – Trees That Count
- Local planting guides – Department of Conservation
- Tane’s Tree Trust
Information for native and exotic (non-native) planting
Many regional councils have good information to help you plan your planting. Take a look at your local council’s website for information.
Find council contact information - Local Government New Zealand
Integrating trees into your farm business
DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand have guidance available for how to integrate trees and forests into your farm business.
DairyNZ
Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Other resources
The New Zealand Farm Forestry Association has resources on different native and exotic trees species for the farm, as well as good practice forest management. There are also frequent farm events to learn about other farmers’ experiences.