Wrong Celtis trees being planted

JP Odendaal from Montgomery Park writes:

We, as residents of Hugo Naude Road overlooking the Montgomery River, are happy to see that City Parks is implementing a plan to plant trees in the park.

However, I am a bit concerned to discover that they are planting Celtis Senensis as opposed to the indigenous Celtis Africana (white stinkwood).

This is what the Australians have had to say about this species:

“Chinese celtis is a fast growing species that forms dense infestations along creek banks and prevents regeneration of native vegetation. Chinese celtis also sucks up water and has the potential to affect populations of native animals through habitat destruction

Chinese celtis (Celtis sinensis) is a significant environmental weed in New South Wales and Queensland, and was recently listed as a priority environmental weed in two Natural Resource Management Regions. It is most common and widespread in south-eastern

Queensland, where it is actively managed by community groups, and a recent assessment listed it as one of the top ten environmental weeds in this region.

It is a fast-growing tree that appears to favour clay soils associated with alluvial floodplains, creeks and gullies. It forms dense infestations, particularly along creek banks (i.e. in riparian areas), and prevents the regeneration of native vegetation. It also invades open

areas within forests that have been cleared or otherwise disturbed. Dense infestations of this special use large amounts of water and also have the potential to affect populations of native animals through habitat destruction.”

I would appreciate an investigation by one of your journalists or an interested party to get comment from City Parks and a comment printed in your paper. This is of particular importance in view of various other “pest” trees being classified as weeds or invader species. Prevention now is better than a later attempt at a cure.

Editor's note: Thank you for your letter. We will investigate and report back soon.