With the willows removed from the first section of Kiamma Creek the Landcare group, Council and Catchment Authority were keen to see the revegetation happen as quickly as possible.

Fortunately the very willing and capable students from St Mary’s Primary school were quick to volunteer to get the job done.

The 19 year four students from St Mary’s were assisted by Margaret Carr and John Hanley from the Upper Lachlan Shire Council, Gen Reardon from the Lachlan CMA, Kiamma Creek Landcarers Cr. Malcom Barlow and Barry Murphy, and Upper Lachlan Landcare representatives John O’Brien, Nerida Croker and Mary Bonet.

The students very quickly picked up the tree planting technique and with many hands making light work the job was done before lunch.

Margaret Carr selected a combination of Eucalyptus and Casuarinas and the site was well prepared by Matt Kilby from Global Land Repair incorporating soil health principles utilising mineral and microbe balancing into the tree planting process.

With a specially designed corkscrew auger on his BobCat to dig the individual holes which strips the grass away, eliminating the need for weed control, it deep rips the hole and cones it out without leaving polished edges.

Matt also supplied the group with a special tree fertiliser and Tree-Mycorrhiza inoculant, (as our recent soil biology students would recall, a fungi that live in a beneficial relationship with roots) to increase the tree roots access to water and nutrients.

And the most visible of the aids to assist with the growth of the trees is the very pink tree guards which look quite striking along the creek side.

Why Pink? “Visible light can be split into a spectrum of colours.

Green leaves absorb light from the red fraction to drive photosynthesis.

Research has demonstrated that the colour pink reflects and focuses the red fraction, concentrating this photosynthetic energy to enhance plant growth.” Mr Kilby said

And the pink not only helps the trees; money from the sale of the pink tree guards are donated to the McGrath Foundation to help fund breast care nurses for regional, rural and remote centres across Australia.

The student’s efforts were highly praised by all involved in the day, and a very enjoyable time was had by all. 

Now let’s hope the careful preparation, the loving planting and this beautiful rain will give these trees a great start to a long and healthy life along the Kiamma Creek.