The rescue mission was launched by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) who worked with the Australian National Botanic Gardens and the Australian Native Plant Society to plant the Eucalyptus imlayensis seedlings.

Possibly under attack by the introduced plant disease Phytophthora, this eucalypt’s population has shrunk during the past 10 years.

In 2007 the NPWS called in plant propagators from the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra in a bid to save the species, more commonly known as the Imlay mallee.

NPWS Ranger Lyn Evans said the propagated seedling had been successfully planted in a number of different terrains to see which best suited the trees.

“Once we see which of the planted trees thrive, we will know which habitats best support the Imlay mallee,” Ms Evans said.

“There are two trees planted at the summit of Mount Imlay and walkers will see them if they make the trek.

“NPWS Senior Threatened Species Officer Keith McDougall and I have had keen interest in the Imlay mallee for years and grant funding through the NPWS Find it, Fix it program was the catalyst for this collaborative propagation project.

“The grant enabled us to build remote hygiene boot treatment stations to stop the spread of pathogens and also to hire a helicopter to transport water and other supplies to the summit of the mountain.

“My thanks go out for the tremendous help from volunteers who will now help care for the plants over spring and summer and more volunteers are always welcome.

“This is a last ditch effort for Imlay mallee and together we have given the species its best possible chance,” Ms Evans said.

Horticulturist from the Australian National Botanic Gardens Paul Carmen said more seeds were collected on Wednesday and would be germinated for a possible supplementary planting sometime next year.

Eleven seeds will be propagated by the Australian National Botanic Gardens and a further 11 are being stored at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mt Annan.