Free tallowood seedlings available at Port Macquarie Koala Hospital

The koala food trees are suitable to plant on properties and large front yards away from powerlines.

Port Macquarie Koala Hospital clinical director Cheyne Flanagan said the plan was to get the trees planted everywhere up and down the coast from Kew to Kempsey and in the hinterland.

Forestry Corporation of NSW and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council have donated more than 10,000 tallowood seedlings.

The bulk of those are available to the public.

Ms Flanagan said tallowood was the T-bone steak for koalas.

“We just want to see them in the ground – it’s so important,” Ms Flanagan said.

“Everyone will benefit – all the wildlife and all the people.”

Port Macquarie Koala Hospital can help with a planting guide and more robust instructions for broadacre planting.

Ms Flanagan said the tallowood plantings would replace lost habitat and create carbon sinks.

“They are not only feeding koalas, they are looking after a number of other species as well,” she said.

Habitat loss poses a major threat to koalas.

Port Macquarie Koala Hospital habitat coordinator Steve Withnall said the trees were in prime condition ready to be planted.

It is the ideal time to plant the seedlings after the recent rain.

The koala hospital advises people not to plant the seedlings under powerlines, in backyards or along major roads.

The tallowood tube stock is available from Port Macquarie Koala Hospital on the corner of Roto Place and Lord Street.

Delivery is possible for larger numbers of trees.

Residents from the Kempsey area should contact Kempsey Shire Council to arrange to get their trees.