Partnership aims to save Sydney’s Fig Trees traditions in Moore Park

Centennial Parklands, City of Sydney and the Trees Impact Group nursery have come together to plant six Australian native Hills Fig trees in Moore Park – some of the first of its species to be planted in Sydney.

Hills Figs (Ficus microcarpa var. hillii) were originally planted in Centennial Parklands in the 1920s by botanist, Joseph Maiden, who was experimenting with natives and exotic trees species.

Centennial Parklands Senior Arborist Ted Hoare explained “the Hills Figs being planted are between 600 and 800 litres and measure about six metres in height.

“This partnership with City of Sydney and Tree Impact has allowed us to choose from the best container-grown trees available in Australia ensuring the Parklands will continue to be the lungs of the city.”

City of Sydney Senior Arborist Karen Sweeney added “this particular stock has been specifically grown to replace existing Hills Figs in iconic parks and public spaces around Sydney. We have worked with Tree Impact to develop a stringent growing methodology so these trees conform with NATSPEC specifications and address any issues relating to Hills Figs when used for significant public plantings such as the ones going in at Moore Park.”

The Hills Fig trees will arrive at Moore Park on Wednesday 28th May 2014 by semi-trailer and the planting will take two days to complete.

Hoare continued “we’ll be planting 62 new native and exotic trees in total during this year’s autumn planting program, with species chosen to include Hills and Port Jackson figs, Hoop pines, Sydney Red Gums, Tallow Woods, Holm and Cork Oaks and Swamp Cypress,.

“In Sydney, autumn is the optimum time of year to plant multiple advanced stock (semi-mature) trees due to the warm soil and shorter days, which stimulates root growth. Plantings like this are the part of my job I love the most and with almost 16,000 trees to look after, it’s a privilege to be able to contribute this aspect to the community.”