The Armidale Tree Group is taking up the fight to secure the future of the region's drought stricken trees, with help from the state government.
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Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announced a $29,860 grant to support the development of a tree planting and bush regeneration plan.
Mr Marshall said while much of the region's flora had started to grow back after the rain, large areas of dead trees across the landscape are a constant reminder of the worst drought in living memory.
"It's sad to think some of those massive native gums which have stood watch for hundreds of years are now lost due to drought and bushfires," he said.
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"In order to start regenerating those areas hardest hit the Armidale Tree Group will bring together some of the region's most experienced tree planters and bush regenerators, to strategise tree planting methods which will cope with hotter and drier conditions.
"From this workshop a set of tree planting guidelines will be established and distributed to landholders and groups like Landcare for use in their local regeneration programs."
Armidale Tree Group vice president David Carr said the project was as much about the survival of native animal species as it was plant life.
"Without these trees many animals, like our koalas, are suffering due to lack of the food and shelter," he said.
"The recent drought highlighted differences in success between well-prepared tree planters and those who just bung in a few trees here and there.
"It is very important that people keep planting trees to provide habitat, link up existing bushland and provide benefits for production such as shade and shelter for livestock and the guidelines we will come up will help people get the best results from their planting programs.
"While seasonal conditions have improved the next dry time could be just around the corner which is why Armidale Tree Group intends to conduct its expert workshop before the end of this year, before holding community forums in 2021.
"The loss of large mature trees is cause for distress but I think undertaking this project is the first step on a long road to environmental recovery."
