Vegetation

The forest escaped the widespread forest milling which was prominent in the area in the 1930's as well as the extensive fires in the 1940's. The dense stands of straight boled trees are dominated by rimu, mataī, miro, and kahikatea. There is also a fringe of red beech around the clearing. An understorey of kohuhu, putaputaweta, broadleaf, mature fuchsia and five finger is complemented by a variety of ground ferns.

One of the most striking plants in New Zealand's forests is the mistletoe. Although its colourful presence has been substantially reduced by possum browsing over a long period, there is evidence in this area of vigorous regrowth in response to a long term possum control programme.

Mistletoe grows on the branches of host trees and with its specialised roots, often in the form of pad like attachments, it is able to penetrate the host trees to gain water and nutrients. It is therefore known as semi-parasitic. The most common species found in these reserves is Tupeia antarctica.

It is prominent in Balls Clearing Scenic Reserve where it mainly grows on the five finger (whauwhaupaka), but has a wide host range in other areas including introduced plants.

Wildlife

Native birds are numerous, though more commonly heard rather than seen, particularly in early mornings and late evenings. They include the kererū (wood pigeon), tūī and korimako (bellbird). There are also significant colonies of the not so common long tailed bat.

The only native land mammals in New Zealand are bats. The long tailed bat finds a home in hollow trees in the mature forests in this area. Little is known about them because their small size and nocturnal habits make them difficult to study.

Research at Ball's Clearing Scenic Reserve reveals that rats are possibly the main culprit for the bats declining population. Bats have a soft noiseless flight and emit ultrasonic waves (echolocation) to determine their distance from prey and solid objects. Their food is largely moths and flying insects and they rest by suspending, head downwards, from the claws of their hind legs.

Origins within the Puketitiri Bush (Pre 1880s)

Before European settlement, the Puketitiri district was covered by approximately 10,000 acres of dense lowland podocarp forest, known as the Puketitiri Bush. This forest featured exceptionally tall and tightly packed rimu, kahikatea, tōtara, mataī, and miro, forming one of the most productive timber stands recorded in New Zealand.

Within this forest was a naturally occurring clearing of about 90 acres. Scientific assessments later suggested this open area existed due to severe frosts, which prevented forest regeneration. The clearing supported native grasses, sedges, tussocks, and wetland vegetation rather than trees.

Crown subdivision and the arrival of John Ball (1880s–1890)

In the 1880s, the Crown began subdividing the Puketitiri Bush for European settlement, a common practice across Hawke's Bay at the time. Much of the surrounding forest was felled or milled, but the clearing and a small portion of intact bush remained untouched.

The name "Ball's Clearing" comes from John (Jack) Ball, who in 1890 purchased 176 acres of nearby Crown Land for £130. Upon arriving, Ball reportedly found the surrounding forest so dense that he could not erect a hut on his own section. Instead, he built his hut in the natural clearing within the forest.

Although technically trespassing, Ball explained his situation to a government official, who allowed the hut to remain. From that point on, the clearing became known locally as Ball's Clearing.

Early conservation and scenic reserve status (Late 19–20 century)

As large scale land clearance continued in Hawke's Bay, authorities recognised the exceptional ecological value of Ball's Clearing. It was preserved because it represented an outstanding example of virgin lowland podocarp forest, with tree density and timber volume rivaling the best forests in the country.

The protected area was eventually formalised as the Ball's Clearing Scenic Reserve, covering approximately 234 acres, which includes:

• 90 acres of untouched podocarp forest
• 50 acres of regeneration forest (previously milled)
• 10 acres of natural swamp
• The original clearing itself

Ecologists both local and international have studied the reserve due to its unusually dense, even aged canopy and high proportion of kahikatea and rimu.

Modern management and public access

Today, Ball's Clearing Scenic Reserve is managed by DOC. It is recognised as the finest remaining example of lowland podocarp forest in Hawke's Bay and one of the region's most accessible native bush experiences.

The reserve features:

• Short walking tracks (10–40 minutes)
• Wheelchair accessible sections
• Picnic shelters and facilities
• Important habitat for native birds and long tailed bats
• Despite extensive land-use change around it, Ball's Clearing has survived largely intact due to early protection decisions, making it a rare window into the pre settlement landscape of central Hawke's Bay.