Tree Planting Program

Over the last couple of years throughout the Course Enhancement Project, we have had the opportunity to plant numerous trees, enriching the natural landscape of our golf course. We are excited to advise that we have already doubled the expected number with 611 new trees planted across our property. These new additions have made a significant positive impact, enhanced the environment and created a revitalised, sustainable space for all to enjoy. We recognise that these changes have brought about noticeable transformations, and we are excited about the ongoing growth and the benefits these new trees will bring to the course for years to come.  

Many of the trees removed, like Tamarisks, Swamp Oaks and Aleppo Pines, are declared weeds and we are required to control them on our property under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019. As they sucker or propagate readily, we are removing them where possible. You can find more information about declared weeds here: https://pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds/declared-weeds  

Our Course Enhancement Project initially aimed to plant a minimum of 250 trees, increasing canopy coverage by 1.75 hectares.  Our latest audit shows that we have surpassed this target. As of this week, we’ve planted 611 trees, which will nearly double the projected canopy increase to 4 hectares.  Many of these trees planted have been potted on from seedlings by our volunteers and cared for in our nursery over a few years.   

Summary of trees planted 2021-24  

We have experienced some losses, we are thinking primarily due to the transition from the nursery – moving from a high-water environment to less water. To avoid this in future, we have now moved our trees from the highly irrigated areas of the nursery to the areas with less water to help the trees with adjusting to the conditions.   

The majority of trees have been planted and staked by our Horticulturalist, Ben Rolton, assisted by members of our team. Ben has also been in charge of follow up watering and care of the new plantings.   

Six different species of trees have been planted – mainly trees indigenous to this area – with a few of significant conservation rating:  

• Callitris gracilis – Slender Cypress Pine (Near threatened)  

• Melaleuca halmaturorum – Salt Paper Bark (Rare)  

• Acacia pycnantha – Golden Wattle  

• Allocasuarina verticillata – Drooping Sheaoak  

• Pinus pinea – Stone Pine  

The most widely planted species on our course is the Callitris (Slender Cypress Pine), with 358 specimens planted. These trees have been strategically placed in Copses (dense groups) to provide screening, enhance course safety and provide habitat for small birds, such as the Yellow Thornbill and Yellow-Rumped Thornbills often seen at our course.   

The Callitris will enhance our pine tree look and, our volunteers will be pleased to know, these have the advantage of avoiding the dropping of pinecones and needles associated with the other pine trees.  

Another tree which we have been planting is the Dropping Sheoak – not the declared weed species, but the local species. This species is a habitat plant of the Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo, so we can look forward, hopefully, to more of these cockatoos visiting the course   

The Banksia and Melaleuca will flower in spring and attract a variety of insects, which in turn will attract birds. 

We haven’t finished planting, and we will continue to plant as the Course Enhancement Project progresses, particularly in those areas where we have lost screening. We thank you for your patience during the Course Enhancement Project. We look forward to a well-treed course in years to come which will provide screening and attract more birds.  

Tree Types

Wildlife

Yellow Thornbill in Callitris, M Gilbey  

Native bee on Melaleuca flower, M Gilbey  

 

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo in Stone Pine, G Hallion  

To read more about the treescape and course enhancement plan please head to the following link on our Club website https://www.glenelggolf.com/cms/course-enhancement-plan/treescape/ 

Tim Warren – Course Superintendent  

Monina Gilbey – Biodiversity Manager