Trees and plants in our region

Trees and plants play a key role in creating healthier individuals and communities. They yield a host of benefits such as:

• improving air quality - flourishing urban forests convert carbon dioxide into life-giving oxygen and help filter daily pollution.
• minimising the effects of soil erosion - by acting as ecological windbreaks and sieves, via their foliage and subterranean root systems. Urban forests help retain topsoil and protect waterways from silt and other contaminants well beyond their immediate reach.
• offering sanctuary to birds, insects and wildlife, and providing them with a source of sustenance from flowers, tree bark, and edible seeds and fruits.

Trees and plants are highly valued in the Toowoomba Region as evidenced by our expansive and flourishing urban forest.

How to plant a tree so that it thrives:

• Dig a hole 300mm from the edge of the root ball on the tree.
• Loosen up the sides of the hole to promote root penetration.
• Water crystals can aid in water retention.
• Create a well around your tree with soil to help retain water and reduce water runoff.
• Place mulch to a depth of 150mm around the base of your tree, but away from the trunk to prevent rot.
• Thoroughly water each tree immediately after planting and as required.
• Once planted, water the tree regularly in dry weather (check under the mulch to see if the soil is dry). Even so-called drought-tolerant plants need to be watered regularly until their roots become established.
• Native trees can be fertilised for much better growth. Use a fertiliser that is low in phosphorus, marked as 'P' on the label of the bag. To determine if your fertiliser is suitable, check the N:P:K (nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium) composition. Use one that contains less than 3% P; those with low P but high N and K are fine, e.g. 11:2:13.

Helpful links

• Monument Australia
• National Register of Big Trees
• National Trust Trees