Heliventures⼁Wildling Pine Control⼁ Heli-services ⼁Otago⼁Southland

Wilding Pine Control

Wildling
Pine Control

Wilding Pines are becoming a significant risk to New Zealand’s eco-system and we provide multiple methods for tackling this invasive pest. One of the biggest challenges of dealing with trees such as wilding pines is often the remote and mountainous terrain in which they grow, which makes helicopters the ideal tool to tackle these.

Aerial Basal Bark Application (ABBA)

This technique is a useful way of covering large areas with scattered trees quickly. We use our custom built and certified wanding system to apply chemical to the base of each tree using a large wand operated by one of our trained Crew. Our system allows us to quickly change from ABBA work to Skid Hopping or moving crews within seconds due to its design. We use GPS technology to mark and record each tree that has been treated and also log flight lines to show coverage of the treatment block.

Aerial Foliar Spray Application (AFSA)

This boom spraying technique is the most cost effective method to use when treating large, dense infestations and is mostly used in stands with over 80% canopy cover. We have the capacity with our Airbus AS350 B2 and B3 helicopters to provide a high water rate application to complete large blocks efficiently.

Skid
Hopping

We use our specialised chainsaw rack or cargo cage to transport crews with chainsaws and other equipment into areas with small clusters or individual trees that can then be cut down or drilled and filled with chemical to allow them to die standing. This is a safe and efficient way to move crews around inaccessible and difficult terrain. We use our MD 520N for this type of work because it is turbine powered and has excellent power margins for working in mountainous terrain. The fact that it doesn’t have a tail rotor is an additional safety feature for the crews.