TREE PLANTING AT ST BENEDICT’S

Recently Hornsby Shire Council offered the parish some native tree seedlings to plant in the church grounds beneath the mature trees that run alongside the Arcadia Road boundary. These robust young seedlings will augment and eventually replace the old trees that are remnants of the original forest.

The young trees were grown by the HSC Council Nursery in Pennant Hills and on 1 October 2020 Ross Rapmund, Pennant Hills Community Nursery Coordinator, was one of the council staff who helped oversee the planting.

A team of volunteers from the parish also joined in on the day. Some of the most dedicated were the three Raisch boys - Michael, Raphael and Gabriel - from Arcadia who worked diligently carting buckets of water for the newly planted trees. To acknowledge the boys’ efforts we’ve named three of the trees in their honour. We know they will enjoy watching their namesakes grow.

Ross Rapmund explained that a number of the baby trees were grey ironbarks (Eucalyptus paniculata) germinated from seeds he’d collected from the mature specimens in the grounds of St Benedict’s. The team also planted turpentine trees (Syncarpia glomulifera), which are native to the area, and a number of understorey shrubs.

Parish priest Father Bernard has set up electric fencing to keep the famous St Benedict’s cattle from attacking the young trees. We all hope the trees grow well and will enjoy watching their progress.

Pictures shows Michael, Raphael and Gabriel with one of the newly planted trees.

St Benedict’s Parish activities and services

Due to the uncertainty of COVID restrictions, please check our website for happenings and information www.bbcatholic.org.au/arcadia.

Click on the News and Events tab to find the weekly Parish Bulletin that will keep you up to date. Or ring Paula on Monday or Friday at the Parish Office on 9653 2312.