Split Family - Part 2 - Snow Gum Planting

While the others were at the orienteering camp, Al and I made our way up to Guthega. It was a relaxing drive stopping briefly in Jindabyne for burgers. On arrival at the lodge, we unpacked the full car. Huge amounts of toilet paper was stowed in the usual places ready for winter. Al had also stocked up on the pantry goods so we unpacked these too.

Saturday we attended the snow gum planting day instigated by a member of another lodge and organised by the Parks NSW. Why snow gums you may ask - well huge numbers of snow gums are dying. Over 90% of the Perisher resort had been affected. The culprit - a beetle! Read this article for more info.

The beetle likes to attack the snow gums whose trunks are at least 15cm in diameter. Snow gums are slow growing so that equates to tree that are older than 10 years. Once you are familiar to the tell tales signs of destruction these beetles have caused that is all you can see and it's depressing (see photo to the left with the dead snow gum in the middle with the ring lines on the trunk).

So while research is trying to figure out a way to deal with the beetles, we have taken nature into our own hands and planted 500 snow gums in specific areas in Guthega. The trees we planted were from seeds collected at Guthega and propagated in Bombala. These 40 cm tall sapling were about 3 years old.

Although we weren't required to dig any holes, it was hard going - fertilising, planting the snow gum, placing mulch and a protective barrier around each on fairly rough steep terrain. The 40 or so volunteers eventually found their niche as to their favourite job suitable to their ability. A sausage sizzles was provided for lunch between to the two planting session. While at the conclusion nibbles and drinks were offered as one of the park rangers gave us an informative chat on the dieback and beetles. A feel good day all up and hoping our sapling will survive and thrive.