Amuri Hills Forest Partnership
Progress Report

Pruning Progress - Stand Areas - Tax
9 April 2002

 

Pruning investment continues

By the beginning of winter the majority of the Partnership's Pinus radiata will have received its first prune, up to around 3 metres on average. The target pruned height when finished will probably be 6.5 metres, which could all be achieved within the next two summers for a lot of the forest area. This would be ahead of forecast. It will depend on the nature of the growth seasons, but if the next two are like this one I have no doubt it will be the case.
Budget lower than predicted

Thankyou to those who have sent the $1,000 per unit requested in February. Quite a few of you required more time to round up the funds and I apologize for taking you by surprise like that. However it is now seven years since the Partnership Prospectus forecast sums of this kind would be needed this year! In fact it predicted more would be required than actually will be. (The draft 2002 budget requires only $1,200 per unit)

Originally a thinning was scheduled this year as well and pruning cost forecasts were based on the maximum area that might be established and warrant pruning. Thinning is now thought best delayed until pruning is two thirds or fully completed and the area actually established is less than was forecast may be. So although pruning labour has increased in cost (with inflation) the amount the Partnership pays will still be a little less than the figure forecast.

Radiata Stocked Areas Confirmed

The established stocked area of Pinus radiata has been measured now by what we are advised is quite accurate mapping (+ or - 3%). It is 158 hectares. LH1 is 108 ha, HF2 is 28 ha and GT1 is 22 ha. Maps of GT2 & 3 (Douglas-fir) will be completed soon and in due course we will send you copies of some or all of the maps. The actual established forest area is less than the estimated planted area. The estimates of planted area may have been optimistic as they were only based on the figures given for trees planted divided by the average spacing. Of course there are also a number of small areas on each site where trees have not become established, mostly due to proving unsuitable.

Site Visit?

If you would like to see some of the Amuri stands, please get in touch. We are happy to organise a trip if there is some interest. Anyone who saw the sites soon after planting should be impressed by the transformation.

Tax Deductible Certificates for 2001

These should not be far away. The Partnership Accountant reports that the file is now with the auditor. By the way, the cost of pruning and thinning is fully deductible in the year carried out so all of this investment will be deductible from Partners' taxable income.
If you have any queries about anything, or want more information, please don't hesitate to contact us at any time.

Charles Etherington
WARREN FORESTRY Ltd,
Manager for the Partnership Committee

Warren Forestry Ltd, New Zealand forestry investment provider
Warren Forestry Ltd, New Zealand forestry investment providerWarren Forestry Ltd, New Zealand forestry investment providerWarren Forestry Ltd, New Zealand forestry investment provider