Parkes Shire Council Celebrates Eucalypt Day 2024 With Plant Giveaway

Published on 20 March 2024

Parkes Shire Council is thrilled to announce its participation in National Eucalypt Day 2024 with an exciting plant giveaway event scheduled for March 21st and 22nd, 2024.

This annual celebration, now in its 11th year, aims to highlight the significance of eucalypts and honour their crucial role in the Australian ecosystem.

The giveaway will operate from Council’s Administration Building, with one plant per household available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Michael Chambers, Environment and Sustainability Coordinator at Parkes Shire Council, hopes that residents will embrace the opportunity to incorporate eucalypts into their gardens.

"Many people are hesitant about planting eucalypts in their backyards because they have a reputation for dropping limbs or having invasive root systems. National Eucalypt Day presents an opportunity to showcase the diversity of eucalypts and dispel common misconceptions.

"We want to emphasise that there are numerous smaller species perfectly suited for urban areas, offering beauty, shade, and environmental benefits" Mr Chambers said.

The range of species available during the giveaway include Silver Princess (Eucalyptus caesia), Yellow Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon), Red-capped Gum (Eucalyptus erythrocorys), Silver Dollar (Eucalyptus cincerea), Fuschia Mallee (Eucalyptus forrestiana), Red Flowering Gum (Corymbia ficifolia), Bell-Fruit Mallee (Eucalyptus pressiana), and River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis).

Eucalypts, known by various names such as gums, stringybarks, boxes, ironbarks, peppermints, and mallees, encompass a diverse group of plants, with over 850 recognised species. While many eucalypts grow into tall trees, approximately half are mallees, shrubs, or small trees.

Eucalypts offer numerous benefits to homeowners and the environment, including year-round shade, drought tolerance, and crucial ecosystem services for native wildlife. As a keystone species, they support a vast amount of biodiversity, providing food, shelter, and breeding resources for up to 15% of Australia's native vertebrate fauna.

"Council has carefully curated a selection of eucalypts suitable for a range of settings, including small household gardens. By promoting the planting of eucalypts in urban areas, we aim to enhance biodiversity within our townships" Mr Chambers said.

For more information, contact Michael Chambers at Parkes Shire Council on (02) 6861 2333.