July 27, 2027
National Tree Day, July 27
Friends of Leadbeater’s Possum invites you to mark your calendar for National Tree Day, 27 July. We wish to draw your attention to the ecological importance of three critical forest types – Mountain Ash, Riparian, and Alpine Ash – that underpin the survival of Victoria’s only endemic nocturnal marsupial, Gymnobelideus leadbeateri. By planting and tending native seedlings in these key habitats, participants will directly support the long-term resilience of Leadbeater’s Possum populations.
Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans) forests dominate the lowland ranges where Leadbeater’s Possum occurs. As the tallest flowering trees globally, mature Mountain Ash stands develop deep hollows only after several centuries of growth. These hollows are indispensable den sites for breeding females and their young. During our planting activities, volunteers will help establish locally sourced Mountain Ash seedlings in areas affected by past logging and wildfire, accelerating the development of future hollow-bearing trees and bolstering habitat availability at a landscape scale.
Riparian forests—narrow bands of vegetation along streams and rivers – serve as vital ecological corridors that interlink fragmented stands of Mountain Ash. The diverse understorey of wattles, acacias and ferns in these riparian zones provides a year-round supply of nectar, pollen and insect prey. By restoring riparian plantings, we not only enhance water quality and stabilize stream banks but also create sheltered movement routes that reduce predation risk for dispersing possums moving between foraging and nesting sites.
At higher elevations, Alpine Ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis) forests play a different but equally important role. These cooler, montane ecosystems regenerate vigorously after fire, producing dense juvenile stands that offer structural complexity and shelter for young possums exploring new territories. Replanting Alpine Ash seedlings in gullies and saddles of the Great Dividing Range will strengthen population connectivity and maintain genetic flow between meta-populations.
No previous experience is required—our expert ecologists and local landholders will provide all tools, native seedlings and guidance. Whether you’re an experienced bushcare volunteer or simply keen to learn, your contribution on 27 July will help secure the future of Leadbeater’s Possum by restoring the canopy structure and habitat connectivity it depends upon. Visit our website to register or contact us for further information. Together, we can ensure these forests—and their precious inhabitants—thrive for generations to come.