The mechanical removal of a cluster of towering box elder trees has recently been cleared from key sites near Ensay and Swifts Creek.
The removal of these trees marks a step forward in efforts to restore the health of the Tambo River. The trees were removed by East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority’s (CMA) contractors, Tree Limits, from Ensay-Doctors Flat Road opposite the football oval, and along the Great Alpine Road between Swifts Creek and Ensay.
Box elders have rapidly spread along the Tambo River in recent years, with mature trees producing large volumes of seed that are easily dispersed by wind and water. The dense canopies of the box elders block sunlight, suppressing native shrubs, grasses and groundcover, and reducing biodiversity along the riverbanks.
“With more light and space available, native vegetation will be able to re-establish, improving bank stability helping create a river with a wider variety of native plants and animals,” Bec Hemming, East Gippsland CMA chief executive officer, said.
In addition to this work, Gippsland Knowledge and Environmental Protection Services (GKEPS) has been contracted to carry out in-stream woody weed control along the Tambo River, from Swifts Creek township to Collins Road Bridge.
GKEPS is targeting box elders and willows to further prevent the spread of these invasive species to protect the river’s natural ecosystem.
These efforts are part of a broader commitment to improving the environmental health of the Tambo River and surrounding landscapes.
