With the onset of Spring bringing out the many delights of the open spaces of the Parklands, the Centennial Parklands Foundation today launched its Tree Transplant Appeal – a fundraising initiative inviting the whole community to get behind the challenge of replacing and caring for the unique tree population throughout Centennial Parklands for future generations.

Through this appeal, the Foundation, which was established by the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust, offers a variety of ways in which the public can become involved in showing their support for Centennial Parklands trees. Through a donation to the Transplant Appeal (from as little as $20), money raised will going towards meeting the ongoing costs of the Parklands Tree Replacement Program.  Alternatively, by taking up one of the special Transplant Tree Dedication packages offered through this Appeal, donors can plant a special dedicated tree(s) within the Parklands, and build their own lasting connection with each tree.

The Centennial Parklands Tree Master Plan, developed by the Trust with industry experts and with extensive community consultation, identifies that 9000 trees of the now total 15,000 trees will require replacing across the Parklands over the next 30-40 years. The identified trees, most planted around 100 years ago, are progressively succumbing to the combined effects of old age, drought, untreatable fungal diseases, poor soils, soil compaction, and the intense pressure of Sydney’s encroaching urban environment. The Foundation’s Tree Transplant Appeal provides an opportunity for the community to directly contribute to the tree replacement program.

The scale and complexity of this long term challenge is much greater than the routine care and maintenance of the trees.  Through the Tree Transplant Appeal, the Foundation is providing valuable support to the Trust’s tree replacement program to ensure that Centennial Parklands will effectively maintain the overall look and feel of its treed landscape into the future. 

While Centennial Parklands attracts almost nine million visits a year, most visitors who are enjoying the use of the Parklands are unaware that many of its trees are in declining health. This Appeal brings to the public’s attention the many challenges of the tree replacement and sustainability now facing the Parklands, and provides a great opportunity for the community to get involved in meeting this challenge for today and for future generations.

In addition to general donation support, the Tree Transplant Appeal identifies several specific urgent tree replacement and planting projects requiring financial support including:

• establishing the Pine Grove – a native Pine Grove that includes the rare Wollemi pine, Norfolk Island, Cook and hoop pines –  at the corner of Jervois and Grand Drive at Centennial Park.
• replacing the ailing Port Jackson fig and holm oak trees inside the Robertson Road Gates at Centennial Park.
• protection and restoration of an avenue of highly visible Moreton Bay figs along the busy South Dowling Street in Moore Park.

To make a donation or to find our more about the Centennial Parklands Foundations Transplant Appeal, please click here or contact Michel Zwecker, Executive Officer of the Foundation on (02) 9339 6699.

The complexity of Tree Replacement in Centennial Parklands

Centennial Parklands was built based on a grand Victorian Park plan, more than 140 years ago. It was experimental in its choice of trees, incorporating native trees into the traditional European plan due to the soil type and exposure.

The trees identified for replacement are those that are dying or unsafe due to old age and disease. It is a fact of life that trees in urban areas do not survive as long as those in their native habitat.

Maintaining a population of 15,000 healthy trees requires ongoing planning. Many established trees are upwards of 120 years old and are declining in health due to old age. Add to old age, soil erosion, pests, drought, an ever encroaching urban environment, disease and root compaction and it makes sense that over the next few decades around 60% of the tree population will need to be replaced. The process of replacement is time consuming, complex and expensive requiring many years of planning.

Many of the trees in Centennial Parklands that need replacing form groves and avenues. Unfortunately, trees that form these groves cannot be replaced individually. Block replacement must occur to maintain visual appeal and ensure a greater likelihood of success.

The identification of trees for replacement takes a minimum of three years planning.  Figs need to be ordered three years in advance, oaks need to be ordered seven years minimum in advance. Oaks need to be grown to specifications unique to their environment. Both oaks and figs are difficult to source and come from all over Australia.  All pine species are readily available.

Over the next five years over 800 trees will need to be replaced in addition to ongoing planting programs.

Centennial Parklands staff maintain newly planted trees for three years. It costs approximately $700 for each tree to be maintained over this period,including labour, mulch, water, fertiliser and pest management costs.

Replacement ‘trees in waiting’ are kept in a secure standing area at Centennial Parklands during their early growth stages and prior to planting.

Trees offered through the Appeal’s $5000 sponsorship package are held in special 150 litre pots and can be up to three metres tall by planting date depending on their species.

For all further media enquires, please contact Michael Ryan or Julie Hunter Ward on (02) 9339 6699 or 0408 420 801.

Centennial Parklands Transplant Appeal Literature and Informational Packs (both the public and corporate donor packages) are available upon request.