By Callum Ludwig
The site of the Warburton Tree has had a makeover with works carried out around the site by Yarra Ranges Council in recent months.
A little ecosystem has been created around the site through planting and fencing.
A Yarra Ranges Council spokesperson said the works at the Warburton Tree are now completed.
“While nothing immediate is planned with the community, we will continue to liaise with them going forward.”
A path is being created up to the fenced tree, with a park bench to be installed to sit by the new habitat area. Initial planting has been done to create an exclusion zone around the trunk.
A community member who was actively involved in the initial discussions about the tree earlier this year but wished to remain anonymous said they think it looks really fantastic and they’ve done a really good job.
“They’ve been really thoughtful in how they included parts of the pieces of the tree in the planting and then there’s the rocks and the fencing, it’s all come together and I think it’s nice to have that there,” they said.
“It would be good if it was a full tree, but it’s the next best thing.”
A community planting day was initially scheduled for Monday 20 November but was cancelled the weekend prior.
The community member said they would love to see the council and community work together at the site in the future.
“We’re a bit battle-worn, I think, from even contemplating at the moment what else can be done around the tree and there have been some ideas floated around but I think for the moment, we just need to just relax and wait until after Christmas,” they said.
“Even as a community, we might come together and just do something ourselves, just a little get-together around the tree and i the council want to reach out with an idea to do something, we are happy to hear it.”
The tree’s use as a nest and habitat for wildlife has been able to continue since it was cut back, with galahs and kookaburras having nested in recent months.
