Planting More Trees with Campbell and Joel

Slowly the trees and shrubs, partially financed by the FRRR, are being planted.

Campbell and Joel planting 2 more trees Trident Maples in
the cemetery in 35 degree heat

It would have been nice to get all these trees planted in winter. But that wasn't possible because the grant didn't come in time and when had opportunity to do the planting. The main problem with securing a grant where a bit more physical presence/work is required, is that there has to be time to do the work. It takes longer than what we imagine, because trying to have everyone in one place and all with a space available at the time can be a logistical nightmare.

The planting, not only maintaining them and watching the plants grow, is a huge pleasure and especially so when we plant the larger shrubs and trees. Because this makes an instant viewable difference to an area. The board of trustees of the Cassilis cemetery have decided to plant trees that are colourful because, the area is beautiful and serene in it's own right. It has room for a little or a lot of colour that will make it even more desirable to sit and enjoy, and this is just the start.

Unpredictable and unreliable rainfall makes the task challenging, but that will make it all the more wonderful when we see the fruits from the sweat of our brow deliver a result that will give all residents and visitors pleasure

The planting of these trees in both the cemetery and the recreation reserve has been a family affair where possible, but has had to be done at times, when people were available.

There are two more Trident Maples to be planted in the cemetery area and then the established tree planting will be complete for this year.

Tree Planting Continues in the Cassilis Historic Cemetery.

The Crimson Century trees that have now been planted in the cemetery were selected not for their normal coloured leaves that go some way to matching the cast iron grave surrounds also seen in the image. But because they have such a beautiful foliage transformation in the autumn. They become different trees almost.

Looking forward to seeing them in autumn

The ground where they are planted is hard, mostly clay and very compacted and therefore these trees will require extra watering depending on the rainfall the cemetery gets each year from this point on. We're hoping that in time, these trees will, like the other trees already in the cemetery long planted, and probably cared for when young and then neglected, will also become heritage trees.

The interesting thing about the cemetery is that people came to find gold or to engage in commerce with those who found gold and in many cases the trade off was leaving something valuable in the cemetery. Was it worth it? One would hardly think so. Especially seeing the families of most of these miners and merchants left the Cassilis township when the gold ran out, and in many cases, the area completely. One might easily imagine that Cassilis was not to their liking, not congenial to what they wanted from life.

Like most gold mining areas, it would have been wonderful to see Cassilis prior to gold being found and coveted. What we see today is hardly a shadow of what it would have been when the gold was still in the ground.