Trees are dying at the top of the South Island of New Zealand

Short reports like this one from Radio NZ provide warning of what is up ahead for us in this country, surrounded as it is by ocean on all sides.

There are high numbers of dead native trees at the top of South Island NZ

California has 149 million dead trees ready to ignite like a matchbook

https://www.vox.com/2019/2/13/18221822/california-149-million-dead-trees-wildfire?fbclid=IwAR1KZTykTu14Jtb7FQj5uwkOpwCCVuTVnfNA4m8nKrHMbXnNX4TqgjnsdSw

***

And across Cook Strait the Department of Conservation says the high number of dead native trees being seen across the top of the South Island is likely caused by drought stress. Areas affected include the Wairoa Valley and the Wangapeka area of Kahurangi National Park. Dead trees have also been reported in the Murchison and Nelson Lakes area, the Wairau Valley in Marlborough, the Marlborough Sounds and the Takaka area in Golden Bay.

DOC staff have seen extensive areas of dead mahoe in Abel Tasman National Park's Wainui Inlet, browning rimu trees on dry ridges near the Heaphy Track, and dead beech trees particularly in places where they grow on thin or stony soils along the banks of the Buller River. Introduced species, including pines and eucalyptus, have also died.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/programmes/regional-wrap/story/2018693448/regional-wrap