Hundreds gather to plant 5,000 trees in one of Christchurch’s largest volunteer planting days ever

The first dig went in at 9am, and by 11:30 it was finished – 5,000 trees planted in one of Christchurch’s largest voluntary planting days ever, an effort that would help create a new future for one of the city’s earthquake-damaged suburbs.

For 83-year-old Peter Hallinan, participation was a spiritual journey.

“I do not have much more on this earth, but I feel like I will live on in these plants and trees.”

Hallinan reckons he planted for about 30 natives The presssponsored Forever Trees planting event around Horseshoe Lake in the Burwood Red Zone on Sunday.

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He was joined by about 350 other volunteers who took just two and a half hours to plant 5,000 trees, including 280 kahikatea, 270 mataī, 70 tōtara, 180 currant trees, 150 mānuka, 440 cabbage trees, 300 mataī and 100 kooibome.

Two of those matai trees were planted by Sheila Hailstone in memory of her cousin, who recently died in the UK, and her late mother.

She was with friends from the Christchurch Women’s Toastmasters Club, who also planted trees in memory of loved ones.

Elsa Kipa said for her the plant is about the healing of Papatūānuku (Mother Earth), but she also found it a healing experience for herself.

“It was the most wonderful experience.”

The ground, which previously had a number of homes on it, was badly damaged in the 2010/2011 earthquakes.

The Crown eventually bought the properties and demolished the houses, but the land has since remained fenced and undeveloped.

Sarah Shepherd, who lives across the reserve and took part in the planting with her 6-year-old son Carter Rhind and his friend Kester Stamps, said she was happy to see something done to the land.

“We can see how they grow out of our house.”

Meanwhile, Carter really enjoyed digging holes for the plants and discovering worms.

Nearby resident Courtney Henderson was also there with her child Cooper (3), who loves digging, and Addison (5), who brought Ted, her classroom soft toy, along for a little adventure.

Henderson said they have planted about 25 trees and will definitely come back to track their progress.

Riccarton man Eric Yu, who took part in the day with his sons Samuel (4) and Nathan (6), said he wanted to teach his children about the environment and that it was important to plant trees to help offset carbon emissions. .

The Forever Trees Planting Day was supported by Trees That Count, the Christchurch City Council and Conservation Volunteers NZ.

Courtney Reid, the council’s community partners’ red zone ranger, said without the community’s support, it would have taken a long time for the council’s red zone maintenance team of 25 to plant the 5,000 trees.

She said there are so many benefits to getting the community involved in plantings.

“It is not only the restoration of the land, it is also a restoration of the mind.”

The press editor Kamala Hayman said she was truly humbled by the hundreds of Cantabrians who apparently show their commitment to the city, the environment and our future.

“It shows a real commitment and enthusiasm for the revitalization of indigenous forests in the red zone.”

The event is also part of the city’s quest to be recognized as a National Park City, a global movement aimed at enhancing the natural environments of urban areas.

Hamish Fairbairn, regional manager of Conservation Volunteers NZ, said the scale of the event was huge and the turnout of volunteers was incredible, far greater than other plantings in which he was involved.