Feb 10, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. New Zealand’s leading forestry nursery and biotechnology business Horizon2 today announced it is acquiring the country’s largest privately owned forestry nursery at Puha near Gisborne. “We are delighted with this acquisition,” said Horizon2 Chief Executive Andrew Rodwell. “It increases our capacity by 35% and opens a channel for the delivery of our advanced treestocks to the important and growing East Coast forestry industry.” Mr Rodwell said the addition of the 48 hectare Puha operation will allow Horizon2 to scale up from propagating 22 million seedlings to around 30 million seedlings a year, ultimately leading to the planting of superior quality tree stocks that better match the needs of their forestry customers. Puha is what is known in the forestry industry as a bare root nursery. Seed is sown, or young cuttings set into carefully prepared beds and, after a year’s growth, trees are lifted when they reach around 30 to 40 centimetres in height. Both planting and lifting are done in winter to minimise moisture loss. The resulting elite pedigree Pinus radiata trees are then supplied to a number of forestry company clients throughout New Zealand and Australia. Horizon2 runs an extensive research and development programme focused on developing improved and superior treestocks that have been carefully selected for their growth and wood properties. Puha adds capacity to Horizon2’s existing network of nurseries in Kaikohe, Tokoroa, Whakatane, Nelson and Colac, Australia. Horizon2 is a 50:50 joint venture between Carter Holt Harvey and Rubicon.