Trees get a good drink

Andrew Mathieson
ENDANGERED trees have been thrown a lifeline and are thriving amid the ongoing drought that has threatened to kill Geelong’s century-old heritage.
City Hall has embarked on a campaign – costing more than $300,000 – that is aimed at keeping some of the oldest and most significant trees alive in several historical parks and beachfronts.
Council’s parks and gardens portfolio-holder Andy Richards said the early loss of some trees forced the City to act.
The City purchased 150 specialised water tanks that hold 1100 litres each, which effectively drip-feed water to trees.
However, the tanks have not been able to reduce council’s water bill but retain previous levels.
Council staff has been forced to top-up tanks each week with recycled water, with rainfall drying up in the region and storages plummeting.
Part of the campaign also includes installing “tree huggas”, the first on heavily-stressed Newtown oak trees.
The huggas that hold 550 litres was identified as a possible solution to watering large established trees through networking with other arborists.
The idea has been expanded to develop them for parks, as they can hold significantly more water.
The City trialed 11 huggas last December to the most parched inner city trees and ordered another 50 earlier this year.
Cr Richards said they have provided a “very accurate and effective” water supply.
“They have been in place for only a short time, but they are already proving extremely effective,” he said.
The huggas encircle the trunks and are bolted in place and chained to the trees.
Cr Richards said council is “regularly inspecting” its larger, significant trees and the huggas are being rotated to “save as many as possible”.
He said the tree-watering program would provide sufficient water for their survival during hotter months to ensure water usage remains the same.
“This is a very successful City of Greater Geelong initiative that is likely to be adopted by other councils,” Cr Richards said.
The City says the $305,000 cost had been fully covered by water savings in “other areas”.