Leader: Chris S
Tail ender: Judy R
On a dismal misty morning, despite a not very flash forecast, 32 trampers set off on our annual tree planting day at Greenwood Park, in the Port Hills. After a short ten-minute walk we arrived at our planting area, at 10am, directly above Jollies Bush and overlooking Sumner.
We were met by park ranger, Fiona, and her helper, who had prepared all the planting patches, provided 400 plants and the necessary shovels and gloves so we could complete the job. After a brief demonstration by Fiona, we all got stuck in. It was a very muddy exercise, the ground being soft and waterlogged after the big southerly storm of the prior week. Folk took a brief morning tea break and by about midday we had completed the planting.
All the native plants provided had been propagated from seeds collected from remnant forests in the Port Hills. Varieties included pittosporum, broadleaf, five finger, ngaio and ribbonwood. Fiona explained that after 10 years the planted area would become self generating, as the plants would be of sufficient size to restrict grass growth below, allowing seeds to fall directly on the ground.
Planting complete, we set off walking down a very muddy Eastenders track to our lunch spot at Moncks cave. By about 1:15pm we were climbing the steps to the cave entrance.
After our lunch break, we walked down the Cave Loop track to Barnett Park, arriving at 2:30pm, where the bus was waiting.
We had time to stop off for refreshment at the Brickworks, satisfied that the rain had held off allowing us to complete the planting.
Text by Stuart C
