ARCHAEOLOGY

Archaeologists and arborists team up for Arbour Day

Otago archaeologists and arborists have been working together to preserve an important settler archaeological site in the Hereweka/Harbour Cone reserve.

WRITER: Rosemary Baird IMAGE: Peter Petchey

On 4 June, the arborist team from Delta honoured Arbour Day by donating a day’s free work at the Hereweka/Harbour Cone property on the Otago Peninsula. Instead of straightforward tree-pruning, however, the team of five arborists faced the challenge of rescuing an 1860s farm building and archaeological site from overgrown macrocarpa. Arbour Day, observed on 5 June, is a little known but longstanding holiday in New Zealand. From 1892-1914, government departments and schools took a day off to plant exotic trees. It was revived in 1934, and from 1977 it was celebrated on 5 June, with an emphasis on planting New Zealand native trees. For Delta, Arbour Day is now a chance to use their expertise to help the community. Delta arborists first heard of the overgrown macrocarpas at Hereweka/Harbour Cone through our archaeologist for Otago/ Southland, Nikole Wills. One of the homestead buildings, built by Walter Riddell, was in danger of collapse. A nearby macrocarpa hedge had grown enormous. Branches were resting on the building, damaging the roof, and making it impossible to enter it. “This was a great collaboration between archaeologists and arborists,” says Nikole. “We are already working with the New Zealand Arborist Association to inform them about the archaeological authority process. Arborists are the best people to manage heritage trees and trees on archaeological sites because of their aboricultural expertise.” Five Delta arborists took to the trees to tackle the overgrowth. Archaeologist, Peter Petchey, monitored the work and was amazed by the aborists’ skills. “It was fantastic to see the Delta team carefully rappelling from trees. They were incredibly professional while doing challenging and dangerous work.” Delta arborist, Rimu Tane, says he enjoyed the unusual nature of the project. “This was a great chance for us as arborists to use our skillset to help preserve a piece of the Otago peninsula history. We were initially concerned that removing the tree limbs that had fallen onto the building might cause further damage, but with a bit of planning and careful rigging it all worked out and afterwards it was easier to appreciate the size of the structure. Hopefully these trees can go on to provide shelter and contribute to the story of this site for many more years to come.” For Hereweka Harbour Cone Management Trust, Delta’s contribution was a great support to their busy programme of work. Norcombe Barker, the Chair of the Trust, says, “Given the number of historic sites on the property, the Trust is working to prioritise an overall assessment to prioritising for restoration. This is in addition to our biodiversity enhancement and riparian revegetation work. Riddell’s Farm is a project we have been wanting to have assessed for a long time. Tree work is expensive, and we are very appreciative of the work of the arborists.”

Now that the trees have been cleared, future discoveries beckon. Dr Gillian Hamel from the Hereweka Harbour Cone Management Trust is excited. “Having the trees cut back will finally allow safe access for an archaeological assessment and recommendations on the future of the building.” This project is a great example of our archaeologists working together with arborists to help them become ‘archaeologically aware’. When trees on archaeological sites become physically connected to archaeological remains, arborists play a key role in applying for an archaeological authority and avoiding damage of an archaeological site. n

The team of Delta arborists who worked on Riddell’s Farm for Arbour Day 2021.