by John Steeds

Native tree planting project at Orohaki

Recently the school embarked on a native tree planting project at the school campsite, Orohaki, near Oxford.

The aim is to improve the boundary around the open grassed area in front of the buildings.

When the school acquired the property, this boundary was mostly gorse, broom, blackberry and clumps of course grass which must be removed before planting. 

Over time we intend to establish a three metre wide strip of natives that will screen off the surrounding farmland, suppress the weeds, and visually enhance the area. 

The area is quite large so this will be accomplished in stages as time and the availability of plants allow. 

So far some 80 natives comprised of 11 species have been planted by Principal, Neil Haywood and school groundsman, John Steeds. 

These natives, which include Totara, Pokaka, Griselina, and NZ native peppertree, have been supplied by Trees for Canterbury. 

Some were bought with vouchers kindly donated to the school by the parents of Ben Marshall and Jack Murphy who both left Kohanga Ako at the end of 2018. 

The others were donated by Trees for Canterbury as part of their ongoing native giveaway initiative. 

We have a further 55 trees to plant from the Paper 4 Trees programme that were gifted to the school in recognition of our cardboard recycling.

Image by: John Steeds


Image by: John Steeds