Group+3.

=Marshall Laing Primary School HABITATS= Stanton, Ellen, James M, Amy and Jessica are interested in Native Trees. Below is our focus question for Inquiry. "What kind of native trees attract native animals, birds and insects to Marshall Laing?" Further questions are...
 * "How can we protect the native trees at Marshall Laing?"

10FY think that native trees attract native birds. They provide homes and sources of food. But trees also need protecting in order to survive. One example of a native tree is the Totara - it can grow up to 30metres tall. It has smooth red berries which attract teh birds in late summer.

For the first few years after planting the tree needs to be checked and weeding around the tree is necesasry. If the tree has been planted well it should grow quickly but it may need a stake. Where possible a slow release fertiliser should be put around the tree - but watch out for the weeds because they will grow quickly too!

Mulching involves spreading loose material such as newspaper, wet straw, bark or untreated sawdust around the plant to protect the roots if people walk near it and trap the water - especially in the summer. The plants do need to be watered - especially before you put down the mulch. The mulch should be about 10cm deep around the plant in a weed cleared area.