ENJOYING

Welcome to Omori Kuratau

Starting 100 metres before the Omori Store, the speed limit is now 50 kph and this 50 kph limit continues for all of Omori Road and for all of Kuratau. The 50 kph limit is there for very good reasons. The 'village' is a haven for walkers, runners, children, dog walkers and cyclists who are simply out to enjoy themselves in a relaxed state of mind without being put in danger by speeding vehicles. SLOW DOWN FOR OUR BIRDS!!! Omori/Kuratau is also 'home to the birds' and too many birds are killed every year by vehicles going too fast and being unable to avoid low flying birds. Hundreds of hours have been put in by the Pest Management Group over many years to bring back our birds. You can show your support for our programme by sticking to the 50 kph speed limit.

PROBLEM WEED TREES/SHRUBS IN OMORI & KURATAU PROBLEM ONE – COTONEASTER also known as bright bead cotoneaster, Cotoneaster serotinus Originally from China and the Himalayas, cotoneaster (ko/tone/e/aster) is a fast spreading evergreen shrub and small tree. Clusters of small white flowers appear from October to January followed by scarlet or orange berries from February to August. Why is it a problem? Cotoneaster matures quickly and produces dense strands that out-competes and often smothers and replaces other shrub and native species. Once established, it completely prevents the establishment of all other species except weedy vines. Where do we find it? It thrives in a wide variety of habitats: damp and drought conditions; hot and cold temperatures; salty conditions; a wide range of soils and is also both shade and direct sunshine tolerant. Birds distribute the seeds widely and infestations are commonly found in hedges, roadsides, gardens quarries, on the perimeters (and in) native bush and forest margins – especially re-generating native bush; gullies, bluffs; rocky sites; slips and beside river/streams. In Omori Kuratau cotoneaster is widely established in most streets and in many (if not most) gardens. People have also unkowingly grown it as a hedge plant. How to control it. Plan to control wide areas to minimise reseeding by birds. Dig out small plants all year round and leave on site to rot down. Cut down and paint stump with glyphosate (all year round) – best done in summer and autumn. Smaller infestations can also be sprayed with a strong glyphosate solution. Stumps – even painted ones can also re-sprout and need further swabbing or spraying. Once taken out, replant the area with dense ground cover and/or shrubs to prevent regrowth. PROBLEM TWO – CORIARIA - NZ NATIVE PLANT KNOWN AS TUTU There a six native species of plants known as Tutu in New Zealand. This plant has attracted much attention because of its poisonous properties. All parts of the plant are poisonous and the ingestion of its small black/red berries is the usual cause of poisoning. Tutu is a shrub that can grow to a height of about 20ft. It has been responsible for the greatest percentage of stock and sheep poisoning in NZ and farmers are very aware to clear their paddocks of Tutu. Occasionally poisoning of humans is reported and has often been associated with eating the honeydew poison collected by bees. The purplish black seeds contain 5-6 very poisonous seeds and must not be eaten – especially by children. How to control it. Tutu grows in bush remnants and road margins and often in places humans have modified. Two treatments are very successful. Spray with Gazron and Tordon Brushkiller and cut stump spraying and painting with the previous procucts is very successful. Make sure any re-growth is immediately sprayed and stumps re-sprayed or re-painted.

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