The trees are growing, and so are the weeds. So, it’s time to help Wilsons River Landcare volunteers pull them up.

This Saturday, January 25, from 9-11am, everyone is welcome to come to the tree planting area at Simes Bridge and give them a hand.

Landcare volunteer Kristen Den Exter said the growth rates of the 2000 trees already planted “are incredible”.

“The trees we planted in July last year are as tall as me,” she said. “But the weeds are growing too, so it’s a perfect time to weed. 

“It’s hot, but the soil is beautiful and it’s easy to hand-pull the young castor oil plants and grass that are coming though.”

The trees were planted at the National Tree Day and Big Scrub Rainforest Day plantings in July and December last year.

Thanks to the recent rains, Kristen said they don’t have to worry about irrigating the trees anymore.

“So, we have pulled up our irrigation off the riverbank,” she said.

“The volunteers through the drought were pumping water from the river using a fire pump and into the irrigation system.”

If you are coming along to the event, bring gloves and drinking water – it’s humid and we want to stay hydrated,” Kristen said.

“We have a call out for wheelbarrows and buckets so we can move the mulch the Council has delivered us onto the trees after we weed and mow.

“We are so happy with how the baby trees are doing. They are ready to power on.”

The weeding day will take place at Simes Park, in North Lismore, opposite the greyhound track on Winterton Parade.

Read more: SUNDAY PROFILE: Landcare volunteer Kristen den Exter