Calls for expressions of interest went out in March, with landholders in the Biala and Gunning region offered 1-25 trees, weed mats, and guards per property. The response from landholders was incredible. We were pleased to have 12 new program participants and 5 returning participants!
The key to success when planting paddock trees is protection from stock and other animals. Following the footsteps of many other Landcare groups in our region (e.g. Hovells Creek Landcare, Upper Lachlan Landcare, Yass Landcare) we purchased rolls of tough steel mesh to turn into tree guards. The mesh comes in two sizes; 1.2m high, which is suitable for sheep and other small animals, and 1.65 m high, which protects the trees from cattle, horses, and other large animals.
As part of our Paddock Tree Project, applicants agree to co-contribute $20 for the smaller (1.2m) guards, and $25 for the larger (1.65m) guards. They also agree to supply three steel pickets to form the frame for the tree guard. These co-contributions allowed us to stretch the funding further, and gave the landholders a further sense of investment in the trees they are establishing. Landholders are also required to ensure the survival of the trees, and need to replace any that have died off.
Turning the sizable (and heavy!) rolls of steel into tree guards safely takes a few sets of hands, and landholders got some help cutting them up over two working bees (18 May & 15 June). It was great to see volunteers and landholders working together to cut up the guards and load them into their vehicles and trailers along with the trees, weedmat, and cardboard guards. A variety of resources, including Upper Lachlan Landcare’s Native Planting Guide, were made available to landholders at both of the working bees. An extensive list of tree planting resources from a variety of local groups can also be found on our blog.
The landholders received many benefits from this project, including considerable financial savings. Despite prices of materials continuing to rise, participants paid less than half than if they were to do it alone, and were able to receive help cutting up and loading their guards. They also received appropriate seedlings, cultivated by the Yass Landcare Nursery, and good quality weed mat. Access to expertise from GDL volunteers as well as connections made with other like minded landholders were extra benefits to participants.
Replacing dead and dying paddock trees across our region continues to be a priority for Gunning District Landcare, and we hope to continue running this program for years to come. You can learn more about the benefits of scattered paddock trees to native wildlife, ecological health, and farm productivity here.
We are proud of our Paddock Tree Project and are incredibly grateful to the Biala Wind Farm Community Grant for making it possible in 2024.