Restoring Carrs Bush

An unpleasant surprise awaits those who remove a mature privet tree - a thousand privet seedlings spring up to replace it! This is happening in our restoration area in Carrs Bush. A lush carpet of seedlings about 5cm high has appeared, powered by sunlight that was not there previously. We don’t like spraying because it kills new natives hiding among the privet, so hand weeding is used. Among other things, bushcare teaches you patience!

You may remember that in August last year, we advised that our Landcare group had obtained a $40000 grant over 3 years to restore a section of Carrs Bush, part of Fagan Park in Galston. The work is being done near the electricity tower at the corner of Bayfield and Carrs Roads. Since then, contractors and Landcare members have cleared privet, blackberries, honeysuckle and Ochna near the tower and on Carrs Road. You can now walk through some sections that were almost impenetrable.

Having received a sizable grant, some would expect to see bobcats and trucks removing trees, moving soil, reshaping the ground, planting new trees and laying turf, like most landscaping sites. For our work, you would be very wrong! Bush regeneration is about people crawling around in the undergrowth using small hand tools and a lot of knowledge. Experienced bush regenerators know the name of every plant, whether it is a native to the area or introduced, and how to efficiently remove the ‘baddies’ and encourage the ‘goodies’. We get great satisfaction seeing an area change its character over time. We rejoice when natives reappear after being crowded out by weeds for years. We are governed by the speed at which the bush regenerates, not to a faster human timescale. Many workfaces are open at once, all being independently managed to avoid overclearing.

A small amount of replanting will be needed in badly degraded areas, using plants grown from local seed. However most plants will be supplied by the bush itself, from seed that has been dormant in the ground or spread from adjacent good bush. Once again, patience is the key.

Most of Carrs Bush is absolutely glorious. If you would like to help us restore the remainder, you would be welcome at occasional Landcare working bees, or you could join the Bushcare group. Call Barry Lees on 9653 3691, or go to www.stillcreeklandcare.com.au or Facebook.