Success of the planted Koala Trees at Jarowair 7 years on

Just over seven years ago we planted a group of feed trees for the local Koalas at Jarowair.  The trees we planted were Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) which were purchased from the then Crows Nest Shire Council Nursery which was managed by local tree expert Steve Plant.  He had advised us on the correct trees to plant for our area and the importance of planting quality trees that were cultivated from local seed which as standard practice then at the nursery.

This week I was having a good look at these trees planted at the beginning of 2007 when I went to cut some branches for a local Koala Carer. I was astounded by how high they actually were and decided to dig out some old photos and take some new ones today for comparison.

The only photo I could find of when the trees were first planted was from 6th of February 2007 when the dam flowed for the first time after the Council ran their new Artesian bore for testing it for a few days after it was installed not far from our property. The trees can hardly be seen as they were only tube stock when first planted, compared to today a mere seven years later they are certainly large enough for koalas to climb and feed from them.  The trees have survived remarkably well with little love or attention, they have endured many years of drought along with a few being washed away and knocked over in the 2011 floods.  The success of these trees has to be because of the original quality of the trees and the advice from Steve on which variety to plant in our area.  I look forward to seeing how they look in another seven years!  Now to plant some more!

J & B

2007 - 2014 Eucalyptus tereticornis from the Crows Nest Council Nurser - you can see the same pile of logs in the background of the location.

7 years of tree growth - (on the left) they can hardly even be seen they are so small and today (on the right) they are big enough for Koala's to climb.