Wilding Pines & Carbon

Wilding conifers are one of the most contentious issues in New Zealand’s carbon farming landscape. They store carbon, but their spread threatens native ecosystems. Understanding this tension is essential for responsible carbon farming.

What Are Wilding Pines?

Definition

Wilding conifers (commonly called “wilding pines”) are self-seeded exotic conifer trees growing where they’re not wanted. They spread from:

The Scale of the Problem

Most Problematic Species

SpeciesRisk LevelNotes
Pinus contorta (Lodgepole pine)Very highDeclared “unwanted organism” in 2010
Douglas-firHighSpreads aggressively in some conditions
Corsican pineHighProlific seeder
Radiata pineModerateLess aggressive but still spreads
LarchModerateParticular locations

The Carbon-Environment Tension

The Carbon Argument

Wilding pines undeniably store carbon:

The Environmental Argument

But wildings cause significant environmental harm:

The Policy Tension

This creates genuine policy conflict:

Wildings and the ETS

Can Wildings Be Registered?

Technically, naturally regenerating forest (including wildings) can be registered in the ETS if it meets forest definitions. However:

The Deforestation Liability Problem

Here’s a real challenge: if you have wilding pines that meet forest definitions and you remove them, you may face deforestation liability.

Case example: One landowner found they could face $3 million in deforestation penalties for removing wilding pines that had spread onto their land. The cost of surrendering carbon credits would exceed their control budget.

Current Rules

The ETS doesn’t specifically address wildings, creating grey areas:

National Wilding Conifer Control

The National Programme

The National Wilding Conifer Control Programme was established in 2016:

Control Methods

Impact on Carbon Farming

Implications for Plantation Forestry

If you establish plantation forestry:

Species Choice Matters

Some species are higher risk:

Registration Considerations

Before registering naturally regenerating exotic forest:

Creative Solutions

The “Line in the Sand” Approach

Some landowners have found innovative solutions:

  1. Define a core area of existing trees
  2. Register that core area in the ETS
  3. Use carbon income to fund control of outlying wildings
  4. Prevent further spread while retaining core forest

This balances:

Native Transition

Another approach:

Responsibilities

Landowner Obligations

Under the NES-CF and regional rules, you may need to:

Neighbour Relations

Wilding spread affects relationships:

Regional Variations

High-Risk Areas

Some regions have particular wilding issues:

Local Rules

Regional and district plans may include:

Check local rules before planting.

Future Directions

Policy Development

The government is considering:

Native Focus

Policy is shifting toward:

Practical Guidance

Before Planting

  1. Assess wilding spread risk for your site
  2. Choose appropriate species
  3. Understand regional rules
  4. Plan for ongoing wilding management
  5. Consider native alternatives

Managing Existing Wildings

  1. Determine if registration is appropriate
  2. Understand liability implications
  3. Develop management approach
  4. Engage with control programmes
  5. Consider transition to native

If You Have ETS Wildings

  1. Assess environmental impact
  2. Consider creative solutions
  3. Plan for potential policy changes
  4. Maintain good neighbour relations
  5. Document your approach

Key Takeaways

  1. Wildings are a genuine environmental problem — not just nuisance trees
  2. Carbon credits create perverse incentives — payments for environmental harm
  3. Deforestation liability can trap landowners — removal may cost more than control
  4. Species choice matters enormously — some are much higher risk
  5. Native forestry avoids the issue — no wilding spread concerns
  6. Policy is evolving — expect further changes

Next Steps

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