The Myrtleford and District Landcare and Sustainability Group hosted successful tree-planting days last week, in honour of National Tree Day, working with almost two dozen Marian College students on Friday and more than 40 community volunteers and Scouts on Saturday.
The MDLSG planting sites centred around Apex Lane, the road and bike path which leads into Apex Park.
The Alpine Shire had previously removed a copse of weedy trees including privet, Hawthorne and blackberries along the roadside, which were less than desirable in their location and environmental impact.
The area was then mulched to suppress any regrowth from last year, making the site ready to replant during last week's workshops.
"In total over 300 trees and shrubs were planted, with another 200 grasses," MDLSG president, Paul Reser said.
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"For aesthetic reasons and as a boost to native pollinators, it was decided to replant the area with 10 different species of wattles, from tree size down to shrubs and then border the planting with a number of native grasses.
"Once grown, the wattles will progressively bloom in the early months of spring providing an attractive welcome to the park and Mosaic Trail.
"We did all wattles so in spring they’ll bloom and herald the change of season for the high country.
"On the Friday, 20 Marian College students plus staff from the Alpine Shire Council 'open spaces' crew and Landcare volunteers started off the planting with wattle trees such as Silver Wattle, Blackwood and the iconic local native, the Ovens Wattle.
"Saturday morning saw 40 additional volunteers arrive for National Tree Day to finish the planting, putting in shrubs such as Gold Dust Wattle, Varnish Wattle and Red Stem Wattle among others.
"The border was planted with native grasses such as Tall Sedge, Weeping Grass and Snow grass.
"Children from the local Scouts were among those planting and then placing stakes and tree guards to protect the newly planted trees, shrubs and grasses."
Landcare members concluded the afternoons by hosting a barbeque in Apex Park to thank all those who participated.
Later this year, Landcare will be hosting a 'Bee Hotel' workshop, where homes will be built for native bee species to take up residence in the new 'Wattle Way'.