The trees will be planted where rushes are now growing. Guy and Leanne Wardell-Johnson have been planting trees on their farm for about 10 years. They started in a small way when Guy's father Rob, used a spade to plant a few trees to control a couple of developing seeps and to provide shelter for stock. Over time, their establishment system has incorporated the use of ripping and both knockdown and residual herbicide. They use the trees for shelter strips, windbreaks, dam protection, fence posts, sawlogs and rental income from a plantation company.
Tree planting is an ongoing activity on the farm, integrated with farm planning and re-fencing.
Early days The first tree planting on the farm began in the early 1980s. This was on an area of shallow rock, upslope from a small dam, and on a couple of seeps developing nearby. The scalds are now stabilised and most of the trees are growing well. Guy and Leanne will plant trees around their irrigation dam to act as a biological filter. The trees will be planted in the area where rushes are presently growing.