Exploring the dizzy (and steep) heights of Baranduda Regional Park is a delight with a rich diversity of remnant vegetation, including all manner of ferns and wildflowers. It is even more amazing when considering that grazing was only removed from this hill 25 years ago!

Over the years, Baranduda Landcare Group members and volunteers have worked with Parklands Albury Wodonga to remove invasive weed species whilst low in populations.  This is a far better approach than letting things get out of hand which then results in a mountain of work in the future.

Tilak, Steve, and Antony recently hiked up the Gecko trail to knock over a relatively small patch of the weed species tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) before it started to take hold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Though its name makes it sound divine, the tree of heaven is no angel.  It is a rapidly growing deciduous tree native to China that has become a widespread invasive weed. It’s ability to sucker extensively from its roots means that it can quickly form dense thickets and out-compete native species.

Thank you to North East Catchment Management Authority for their financial support of this Victorian Landcare Grant, which included tackling tree of heaven at Baranduda and northern Wodonga.