THE community came together on Saturday morning at Masons Gully to join West Moreton Landcare and the Ipswich City Council in planting trees to mark Planet Arks National Tree Day.
Mason’s Gully Bushcare Group leader Chris Rinehart and West Moreton Landcare President Kevin Lewis welcomed everyone to the special day, which attracted more than 30 volunteers.
Ms Rinehart said the day was very successful, where everybody worked together to plant, water in and mulch almost 250 plants, while learning about the history of the Rosewood Scrub.
“Everybody had fun while learning something new.
“The Rosewood Scrub is a dry rainforest type and it extended from Walloon to Fernvale to Tarampa and to Grandchester – an area of some 50,000 hectares.
“The scrub was used by a number of indigenous groups for food, fibre, tools and medicine, before it was cleared by early settlers for farming and dairying.
“Now it is considered an endangered ecosystem.”
On Saturday, an interpretive sign about the Bailey’s Cyprus Pine was unveiled by dedicated local amateur naturalist Arnold Rieck and his wife Joyce. The couple have worked together for 22 years on the Mason’s Gully project and were congratulated on their dedication.
“The Bailey’s Cypress Pine is a threatened species and one of Arnold’s favourite trees from the Rosewood Scrub and a small forest of these trees was planted in 2020,” Ms Reinhardt said.
“The sign will now add interest to the walk while explaining the importance of this species that provides shade and a safe habitat for wildlife who all call this wonderful place home.”
