Volunteer Update
On Monday, 14 March our hardy volunteers split into 2 teams (front nine, back nine) to tackle a list compiled by Al Haydock consisting of a variety of pest flora throughout the property, flagging with coloured tape in many areas for easy identification.
Low branches were trimmed from many Bottlebrush, Swamp Cypress and Figs adjacent to fairways and removal of pest flora like Kassod, Golden Shower, Giant Devil Fig and Chinese Elm trees, ever present Tipuanas, Glycine, Madeira and Balloon vines. Juvenile Fig seedlings often nestle in gum trunk crevices and flourish, eventually killing the gums so they must be cut and poison painted.
A new villain has appeared along our waterways, and is flourishing, identified as the Sesbania Pea shrub. A large infestation was removed adjacent to the 13 tee bridge and it grows to 2-3 metres if left alone. Need to keep an eye out for this pest.
Dave Mason allocated a couple of staff (Trent and Cory) with Gators and trailers to clean up the mess we left behind and was greatly appreciated by these volunteers, Ross McTaggart, Phil Jefferson, Ken Prosser, Greg Moroney, Dennis May, Les Nathanson and Garth Crichton.
Cheers till next time
Lloyd Cotterill