TO commemorate World Mental Health Day last Thursday, October 10, Tom Nicholson, owner of Tom's Rural Tree Services and his crew and members of the Alpine Shire arborist team, painted a tree blue at the Dederang Recreation Reserve for the Blue Tree Project (BTP).

The BTP was founded with a mission to help spark important conversations and encourage people to speak up when experiencing mental health concerns.

"This Dederang Blue Tree project has been three or four months in the making,” Mr Nicholas said.

"Fortunately, someone in the Alpine Shire office contacted us about this tree at the rec reserve.

"This is our second year painting a tree for the Blue Tree Project.

“Since the Blue Tree painting in Bright last year, I’ve been keeping an eye out for a suitable location for a new tree; something on the side of the road or in a similarly public area.”

Mr Nicholson had to gain the appropriate permission to paint the tree especially for the BTP.

From there he has been working with the Alpine Shire’s head arborist, Gareth Williams, as well as Simon Wright from Mountain Arbor, to prepare the tree.

"This tree would've otherwise degraded over time and needed to be cut down; it's been dead for a long time,” Mr Nicholson said.

"We double-checked for native wildlife inhabitants in the assessment stage, before we confirmed this tree would be the one that was painted."

The team used an industrial airbrush and an articulating, cherry-picker lift to access the entirety of the approximately eight-metre tree.

“We scraped the loose bark away to make sure there was a smooth surface,” Mr Nicholson said.

"The paint will flake eventually; we're not sure how long it will last, but it's a high-quality weather paint, so around 10 years or more.

"That's why we're removing the loose bark; so the coat will last longer.”

Mr Nicholson and Mr Williams were contacted due to their previous involvement in the Bright Blue Tree Project.

After over three hours of careful work, the finishing touch was installing a sign listing all of the sponsors involved.

For more information about The Blue Tree Project, visit: https://bluetreeproject.com.au/