More trees for Bay of Plenty in Treemendous Tree Plant

Envirohub's Laura Wragg and Geoff Canham get stuck into the planting. Photo / Andrew Warner

Three hundred pōhutukawa trees were given a new home on Saturday morning.

Envirohub's Treemendous Tree Plant saw 150 trees planted at Carlton St Reserve in Otumoetai and 150 at Te Tumu coastal reserve in Papamoa.

After days of miserable drizzly weather, the skies cleared above Tauranga for a morning of community planting.

More than 20 volunteers gathered at Carlton St Reserve to plant one of New Zealand's most loved natives, which were sourced from Mauao.

Envirohub manager Laura Wragg said the trees would do a lot to help the environment and the surrounding landscape.

Fifty of the trees were donated by the Tauranga Harbour City Ladies Lions Group in memory of former Lions Club member Bev Mayer.

Alison Waugh, a representative of the club, said planting trees for the community was the perfect way to honour Bev.

"It's great to have some younger people involved and have them plant for us," she said.

Waugh said the spot where the trees were planted would be the ideal place to come an enjoy a picnic lunch.

The certified myrtle rust-free trees were provided by Geoff Canham Consulting.

Canham said the seeds were sourced from Mauao and grown at the company's nursery in Omokoroa.

"It's been a pleasure to work with Envirohub and connect with the community," he said.

About 15 volunteers got stuck in and helped plant the trees in Papamoa.

Volunteer project manager Duncan Newington said the day was "absolutely magnificent".

He said the project allowed for revegetation of ancient dunes and the planting of trees would help protect against climate change.

Newington wanted to thank local iwi for providing the space to be able to plant more trees in the area.

Treemendous Tree Plant
People had the option to either buy a tree themselves for $11.50; collect it, and plant it; or buy it and have a volunteer plant it for them.