TRIP REPORT : Te Marua Bush Workbee

 Saturday 4 September 2004 :   Te Marua Bush Workbee

Passiflora tetrandra is common in Te Marua Bush.   Photo: Barbara Mitcalfe.

A 2 × 3 m concrete slab lying beside the old kahikatea at the south end of the Bush was removed during the winter.   This was done while a large digger was available to break it up and shift it, after the fence along SH2 had been removed during road works.   Greater Wellington Regional Council organised the dumping and spreading of a load of topsoil over the newly exposed area and some planting was done into this patch two weeks before the workbee, before the soil became too consolidated.

During the workbee more plants were planted to fill gaps created along the roadside and in the existing plantings.   A total of 115 plants were put in.   This included thirty-six kahikatea grown on from seedlings found the previous year under the old tree beside the concrete slab, also five matai and five larger black maire sourced as small seedlings from the Bush and grown on for several years.   A load of bark mulch donated by Wilco Tree Services was spread round the new plants.

A good search through the Bush was made to pick out any remaining Tradescantia (only a little at present) and other weeds.   Rubbish was also collected – during the current road works while there is no fence along SH2 much rubbish ends up in the Bush.   We look forward to having the Bush fenced off again, more secure from unwanted visitors (human vandals, and animals).

After a wet year, Te Marua Bush is showing good growth and plenty of seedlings.

Participants:   Frances Forsyth, Dave Holey, Chris Horne, Rodney Lewington, Sue Millar (co-leader / scribe), Barbara Mitcalfe, Alan and (co-leader) Glennis Sheppard, Darea Sherratt.