A year after a landowner hosts a school for the first time, Trees for Survival facilitators are often met with slightly concerned faces when they visit. Why? Because for the first time landowner, locating the 1-year-old plants can sometimes be a challenge and may initially give the impression of low survival. Despite this concern, the survival rate of plants at Trees for Survival sites averages an impressive 85% (approx.) While we would all love to see towering trees after a year, the reality is often found much closer to the ground. Often, a good eye for the native species planted is all that is needed – one upright flax leaf, bright karamu or wispy manuka and you know plants are becoming established but may need some gentle releasing from competing grass or weeds. Planting at regular 1m spacings helps guide where you look for the next plant – it’s easy when you know what year 1 success can look like!
