That was borne out in the first year because of dryness, weeds and browsing by deer, possums, hares and rabbits.
But over the next five years, he developed a 35-step planting process that produced a steady increase in survival rates — from 50% in the first year to almost 98% — and faster growth.
The ‘‘foolproof’’ process enables a large team of novice workers to plant more trees in a day, with each worker doing and perfecting one step in the process.
The process includes the use of drip-line irrigation for every planting — for three years — soil testing and planting species that are most suited to their specific location.
It also involves the use of fertilisers, metabolising agent and frost-protecting vapour guard spray.
Mr Lay was also an early adopter in the Wakatipu district of the use of plastic tree sleeves for protecting young trees from wind, pests and weeds.
