The community may notice weedy tree species being removed from around the Kempsey Shire area over the coming months, with a particular focus on medium-sized Camphor Laurel trees, occurring singly rather than in groups, growing on Council land.
Weed removal is part of Council’s commitment to removing high priority weed species from our beautiful Shire, where under the Biosecurity Act 2015, we have a duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk caused by weed species covered by the Act.
Camphor Laurel is a common, highly invasive, fast growing, evergreen tree that can form single-species communities preventing desirable native vegetation from growing.
The woody weed expands quickly via prolific seed production, which are spread readily by birds and other animals, taking root in riverbanks, disturbed or hard to reach ground.
When removing the trees, they need to be lopped and poisoned, as they regenerate easily, forming multiple stems.
Left unchecked, the quick growing, long-living trees can colonise large areas of ground, inhibiting land use in the same way as other well-known weeds such as lantana, privet, or groundsel bush.
One of the trees scheduled to be removed is located on River Street, Kempsey (see image below).
It is a medium-sized tree which is likely to grow significantly larger. The shallow but wide root system has the potential to impact nearby underground services, and the increasing canopy will affect overhead powerlines.
A tree-planting program will accompany the removal of Camphor Laurels, with 2-3 trees planted for every tree removed (although not necessarily where the original tree was removed).
Suggestions from the community about the type of trees to be planted around the Shire are welcomed – please send your ideas into Council at [email protected] – keeping in mind that we are unable to plant trees considered weeds.
