Bringing Linwood Cemetery Alive!
Damage to the cemetery has increased, but only slightly. No visible new liquifaction. With continuing strong aftershocks in the area and bad weather, enquiries may take time to be answered. We will respond as soon as we can. Please be patient with us!
City Council employees have been noticed checking headstones in the cemetery and marking those unsafe with hazard tape. It could be a coincidence, but it was shortly after the Trust questioned the Council about what was being done to make B9P5a-8a WHITE safe from further damage by tremors or vandals. The main gates are still locked despite the CCC Greenspace Manager confirming last week that he was unaware of this.
Linwood Cemetery is surrounded by pines and pines have self-seeded within the cemetery in the past. The acidity of pine needles means they damage the concrete and stone of a plot. We don’t have the resources to regularly remove pine needles from every grave, though we try to pull out any new self-seeded pines when we find them.
Did you know that pine needles make an excellent mulch for plants that like acidic soil?
Azaleas, rhododendron, chrysanthemum and roses all appreciate acid soil. Onions, garlic, mint and tomatoes are just a few of the plants in your vegetable and herb garden which would also enjoy the acid boost.
Bring a large bag and gloves, a rake and leaf scoops and help yourself to the pine needles in Linwood Cemetery! Please leave the place tidy when you leave.
You’ll need a 3 inch layer of needles for the area you are mulching. Pine needles break down slowly, so this initial layer should last 3 to 5 months before you need to think about adding more.
