Summerhill tree numbers boosted

The number of trees planted along the Summerhill gullies and walkways have been boosted by 1400 thanks to the Palmerston North Green Corridors programme and a dedicated group of volunteers.

The volunteers were all members of international organisation Dera Sacha Sauda, a non-profit organisation originating from Northern India. Members of this group specialise in providing humanitarian and ecological services across the world.

Members of the group travelled through the night from Auckland and Tauranga to plant the trees, returning at the end of the day.

Over five hours the 25-strong team planted the trees in the lower Titoki area, a strip of land that runs through the gullies between Cliff Road and Cashmere Drive at Summerhill.

Eddie Welsh coordinator of the planting day has already started growing the trees for next year's planting challenge.

"I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and quantity of trees that went into the ground," says Eddie. "It was quite amazing. The group wants to come back next year and they have ideas on how to increase the planting to 2000 trees when they return."

He says the goal is to plant wet reserves with a range of species that are native to the specific area.  This provides a corridor with flora and fauna which enhances an extensive walkway system providing a great natural asset close to the city.