From 1993 for almost 10 years, Bushcare volunteers assisted with the collection of Pinus Radiata saplings for the annual “Christmas weed” stalls organised by CORE (Coalition Of Residents for the Environment). * CORE set up a stall each Christmas in the Katoomba shopping area car park, under the banner of “Give a Weed a Home for Christmas”.
Suitable trees were harvested from Bushcare sites and other public bushland areas. CORE also set up a bushland weed display and had information to hand out. Lyndal and Ruth initiated and organised this project until they ran out of saplings.

A Positive Side To Radiata Pines and article from the Summer 1996 Gecko Newsletter

 For the second year running, CORE (Coalition Of Residents for the Environment) organised a Christmas tree stall in K Mart car park on the Saturday before Christmas. Suitable trees were harvested from Bushcare sites and other public bushland areas. CORE also set up a bushland weed display and had information to hand out. The group received lots of positive feedback, and there was considerable interest in the role of Pinus radiata as a weed. Only two people inquired about purchasing examples from the weed display – this is an improvement on last year.

Another sale is planned for next Christmas. Bushcare volunteers can help by taking note of areas where suitable pines are growing, and timing removal of small pines for late December.