Waikato hosts tree conference

Grow your own Waikato is the theme for the NZ Tree Crops Assn's annual conference In Hamilton next month.

The voluntary organisation promotes interest in useful trees, such as those producing fruit, nuts, timber, fuel, wood, stock fodder, bee forage and other crops.

On offer at the Hamilton Gardens Pavilion from April 26-28 are lectures, workshops, demonstrations and field trips to explore the latest in growing solutions.

The emphasis is on practical, do-it-yourself, Kiwi solutions - GYO Waikato!

Guest speakers include Dr Will McClatchey, from the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, who will talk on the ethnobiology of cider. Others will inform on karaka and native tree crops, chestnuts and soil botany.

Saturday evening is a social dinner with a guest speaker and several association awards to be presented. Full programme and registration details, as well as information about the association, at www.treecrops.org.nz.