We initiated Wildlife Food Plantings to provide safe and abundant food sources for our Wildlife Carers to harvest browse (leaf/blossom) for critters in care. Our aim is to get 2 new sites per year and so far, we are on track. As a SOWFI Wildlife Carer please visit these sites and safely harvest what you need.
So that we can keep these plants creating a sustainable food source, we encourage you to watch these videos below with arborist Chris Lawry, giving tips on various ways to maintain our trees. Always think about your personal safety using sharp tools and look after the trees by sterilizing your pruning equipment with a 50/50 mix of methylated spirits and water. Let your District Coordinator know if there is a problem at one of these sites or you think they need some extra attention such as slashing, hard prune (lop) to maintain tree heights or some safety concern.
As a tree lover and arborist, Chris wanted me to share the following with you: "Lopping is the correct term for essentially removing the crown and original structure of a tree and never getting it back - ever! (usually its stop before you lop !) - don't do this at home to your trees and large shrubs! Lopping is the opposite to natural target pruning and is only a good thing for what you are achieving with the epicormic growth food harvesting.
Natural Target Pruning - secateurs and saw
Natural Target Pruning - telescopic pruner
Mid-crown Lopping
Total Lopping
SOWFI Wildlife Food Tree Planting sites
Stirling, Woorabinda Bushland Reserve 2 sites within the reserve - planted in 2020 Thanks to Adelaide Hills Council and Friends of Woorabinda Bushland Reserve
Salisbury Heights, Little Para River Park at end of Morey Drive - planted in 2021 Thanks to Salisbury Council and Salisbury Heights Primary School
Mount Barker, Laratinga Wetlands South-eastern corner close to Bald Hills Road - planted in 2022 Thanks to Mount Barker Council
Allendale North & Kapunda Corner Kings Bridge & Old Anlaby Roads, Allendale North Corner East Terrace and Thiele Highway, Kapunda Thanks to Light City Council
Mawson Lakes, Pledger Wetlands Corner Mallard Crescent & Dotterel Place, existing site allocated to SOWFI in 2023 Thanks to Salisbury Council
Golden Grove and Surrey Downs sites Hallett Reserve, Golden Grove Greenway Reserve, Surrey Downs Thanks to Tea Tree Gully Council
