Queenstown Lakes District Council arts and special events facilitator Jan Maxwell said 150 trees were planted in just 45 minutes.
"People arrived with gumboots, shovels and enthusiasm," she said.
Sustainable Tourism adviser Sharon Schindler said each tree planted could offset adverse impacts on the environment by "breathing" in about one tonne of CO2 emissions over a lifetime.
More than 12 businesses were represented at the planting among which were Copthorne Hotel, YHA Queenstown, Queenstown Cleaners, Destination Queenstown, Heritage Queenstown, Lakes Environmental, Glenorchy Air, the Rees, Aurecon, Elite Garden Care, Warren and Mahoney, and Queenstown Lakes District Council staff.
Pupils from Arrowtown Primary School and Southern Lakes Christian School represented their schools and members of the Eco-Action community group were also present.
The planting was a joint initiative between the council and the Otago Polytechnic centre for sustainable practice.
The trees were donated by Green Fleet, the Otago Polytechnic and the council.
