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Greenfleet Trees Survive Torrid Conditions

Ninety percent of the three-thousand trees planted by local schoolchildren along Traralgon Creek near the Bert Thompson Reserve and Agnes Brereton Reserve, last winter have survived one of the region’s worst dry spells.

By Latrobe Shire Council - 1st June 2004 - Back to News

The trees were planted by school students from Stockdale Road and Kosciusko Street primary schools in July and August last year, in an initiative between Latrobe City Council and Greenfleet, to compensate for the Greenhouse emissions from Council vehicles.

Parks Officer, John Ruyg, said that ground preparation had been a key factor in the survival of the trees, with many having grown to a metre in height despite the conditions. "It emphasises that ground preparation and follow-up work is all important in establishing tube stock," Mr Ruyg said.

"Before planting we applied herbicide one metre around the holes to restrict water and nutrient competition from grass and weeds. It was also important that we dug appropriate sized holes and limed the holes prior to planting. This encouraged the roots systems to grow deeper and stronger.

"A Work for the Dole team has maintained the trees since they were planted and they’ve done a great job. Gippsland Employment Skills Training in combination with Latrobe Valley Training Assessment Centre have provided supervision for the team. Maintenance has included grass and weed control, mulching, replanting and selective pruning," Mr Ruyg said.

Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Darrell White, said that the young people who planted the trees last year should also be congratulated. "Their hard work has paid off and they should be really proud of what they achieved," Cr White said.

Cr White said the trees had been planted after Latrobe City Council signed an agreement with Greenfleet last year.

"Greenfleet undertakes to plant sufficient trees to soak up the emissions from the vehicles signed with them on a subscription basis, and the plantings in July and August helped neutralise the environmental impact of Council vehicles," Cr White explained.

Council’s Manager Environmental Strategy, Kevin Roberts, said that a report published in 1996 by the Bureau of Transport Economics, showed that by planting trees, a carbon sink can be created to absorb greenhouse gases emitted by motor vehicles.

"The average car on Australia’s roads uses 1,920 litres of fuel each year and emits 4.3 tonnes of CO² greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and climate change," Mr Roberts explained.

"For every Council vehicle that was signed up, 17 native trees were planted. As they grow they will absorb the CO² emitted by each car. The trees are never harvested, and also assist in the fight against salinity, erosion, and loss of habitat," Mr Roberts said.

"In this particular case, the trees that were planted last year will also replace a number of willows that were earlier removed, that were having a detrimental effect on the Traralgon Creek environment. As a result we can look forward to a far healthier waterway for aquatic life and a vastly improved landscape for recreation," Mr Roberts said.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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