Each year, our local council runs what they call “Free Tree Day.” I always get a quiet chuckle out of the name—because, of course, the trees aren’t really free. Our rates help fund the program. Still, we happily show up each year, collect our quota, and head back to plant them out at G’s Lane.
In the early days, we treated every planting like a high-stakes project. We carefully planted, watered, guarded, and then returned again to water them a second time. It was hands-on and deliberate. But as the years have gone on—and as being at G’s Lane has evolved—we’ve taken a slightly different approach. Now, we plant them, give them a good start with water, and then leave them to fend for themselves. It’s less intervention, more trust in the conditions and the plants.
Alongside this, we’ve been fortunate to be part of the Land for Wildlife program. One of the perks is access to leftover plants after the main giveaway day. That opportunity has added up in a big way—we’ve planted hundreds of trees over the past four years.
Our plantings aren’t random. We’ve aimed for a mix that supports both the environment and our own enjoyment of the space: koala food trees, bird- and bee-attracting species, and Banksia varieties whose flowers we can bring indoors for arrangements. It’s a balance between restoration and being with the landscape.
And then there are the moments that make it all feel worthwhile.
The photo below was taken on the 19th of April 2026. It shows a Bottlebrush that we planted roughly 18 months earlier. No special treatment beyond that initial care—just planted, watered, and left to establish itself.
We call that success.
It’s a small snapshot, but it represents something bigger: that with the right plants in the right place, nature does most of the heavy lifting. And over time, those small efforts—one tree, one season, one “free” giveaway at a time—start to shape the land in lasting ways.
