It's Showtime!

So now it’s autumn and ‘showtime’ for loads of spectacular trees we may not otherwise notice! Bayside shows off liquid ambers Liquidamber styraciflua  ‘Sweet Gum’, by the dozen, also Japanese maples Acer palmatum ‘Aureum’ and Ornamental Pear Pyrus calleryana among others. 

Liquidamber straciflua

I love Liquid ambers in particular with their rich colours, we had a huge specimen in my childhood garden, it glowed a spectacular red each autumn. These trees originated in Mexico and were introduced into England around 1681 as ornamental trees. However, in America they are grown commercially for timber and the gum is used in adhesives and perfumes (Reader’s Digest 1981).

Pyrus calleryana

Acer palmatum next to my Xanthorrhoea fresco.

This is a small potted Japanese maple in my garden. We were given the responsibility of looking after several pots for a friend as he moved interstate. Sort of permanent loan, that was 10 years ago. Most of them are still alive having survived the drought OK. I love the maples red stems and bare branches during the winter and of course the fresh bright green growth in spring. One was looking a bit stressed during the drought, so I decided to transplant it in the garden three years ago. That was quite a job as it was well and truly pot bound. Consequently I didn’t attempt the others!

Has been interesting comparing their progress. The transplanted maple looked a bit poorly at first, in fact I thought it was dying. A prune and silent offering to the ‘plant Buddha’ seemed to work. The following spring saw a flush of those lovely delicate new leaves, which made me very happy!

Meanwhile the potted specimens seemed happy enough with the occasional prune and regular feeds (yes, I confess to splashing ‘Seasol” about, maybe not with such gay abandon in future!). Last spring the potted maples displayed their usual red and orange autumn colours while the garden specimen was a uniform yellow. I thought it could still be acclimatising and will have a more colourful display next year. Alas, the same occurred this year, maybe the position is too shady? I’ll give it one more year then consider moving it again if the colour doesn’t improve!

Living in Bayside.

Managed walking track

Natural coastline

There are many reasons I enjoy living in this part of Melbourne. The standout for me is the beach and coastline. Its best feature is the sense of space, looking toward the horizon and feeling embedded in nature. The smell of the sea is refreshing ( except when there’s lots of stinky seaweed about!) and watching the waves is relaxing.

With my country background and its freedoms, city living has been challenging at times. Fortunately, our farm is only two hours drive west, so I can visit frequently with my children. It’s their second home. I lived on the island of Borneo with my family for almost four years, so when we returned to Melbourne, living close to the sea was a priority. How glad I am we made that decision.

Beautiful heathland walk

It’s a great place for families, the beach is fantastic any time of year. The heathland reserves dotted about are wonderful remnants of the original vegetation, a reminder of the diversity that once existed. Thankfully as the area became increasingly populated, residents had the foresight to preserve these parks for future generations.

Evidence of continuing management of the coastline exists. This includes revegetation programmes, often joint ventures involving local schools and organisations in planting schemes. Erosion control is also an important environmental activity, sandbagging beaches, importing sand where beaches are depleted and planting ground covers along cliff faces to stabilise soil.

 Fenced pathways along clifftops also help reduce ‘people’ impact such as foot traffic and cycling. Designated beaches and parks for ‘off leash’ dog walking also reduces the amount of dog litter. Council provides plastic bag dispensers in some parklands (there could be more) to encourage responsible dog walking. There are a lot of dogs around here, so that’s a necessary education campaign

Mangled Street Trees

One thing I don’t like about Bayside, is the distorted, ‘pruned’ street trees which have been shaped to accommodate over-head power lines.

The time and money our local council spends managing these trees must be astronomical. All this could be avoided with appropriate choice of trees at the time of planting. Not only mature trees are disfigured, but trees planted as recently as 2009 are destined to the same fate. I was amazed to see this happening in my own neighbourhood where eucalypt species bound to grow too tall were planted directly under power lines.
Sure enough, the council loppers have done the dastardly deed and we now have weirdly grotesque tree shapes instead of elegant free growing specimens. Some of them are quite spectacular, but would look more at home in a Salvador Dali sculpture park!

Why the council persists in planting inappropriate species is a mystery. I’d be surprised if it’s a financial constraint, our rates should well and truly cover those costings! We have a fantastic indigenous plants nursery in Beaumaris. I am sure they would be able to provide informed advice if the council were to ask!

 This is my favourite tree located in a nearby street at the back of my house. I love it because it’s huge and stately and dominates its section of skyline.

I can also see it from our upstairs balcony. It’s a comforting tree and I’m facing west when looking through it at the sunset. Maybe that’s why I like it too, west is the direction of our family farm!

A few years ago, a council arborist came to inspect a tree we wanted removed. I asked him to come and look at my favourite tree to see if it was on the Heritage listing and to discover its age. He reported a few days later the tree was indeed listed as ‘significant’ and approximately 8o years of age. He claimed the species from Western Australia is Corymbia fisifolia Albany red flowering gum, previously known as Eucalyptus fisifolia. However according to Erickson(1973), Red flowering gum only grow to about 8 metres. The tree in question is much taller. Reading further, it appears Corymbia calophylla Marri or Port Gregory gum, are often mistaken for Corymbia fisifolia (Erickson 1973). They can grow to 40 metres and often cross or hybridise in the wild (Australian Native Plants Society – Australia 2012). This probably accounts for the trees size and mistaken identity!

Bright new shoots appear at the base of the tree.

 Today while sitting outside eating lunch, I heard a distinctive screeching bird call. I noticed a Yellow Tailed black cockatoo in the branches of a Banksia integrifolia var. integrifolia Coast banksia in our backyard. These birds are uncommon around here, so it was pretty exciting seeing one. Then a few more screeches came from further afield. I saw four or five others in the Corymbia, happily shredding bark from high up in the canopy. 

There must be some tasty bugs under that bark.

Blog 2: 25 Anniversary Agroforestry Day-Bambra.

I attended a celebration day at a privately owned and operated Agroforestry project in Bambra, a small hamlet close to our family farm.

It’s 25 years since the owner first established the many tree varieties now growing on his property. I haven’t been there for at least 12 years, so walking among the mature trees and on-going plantings was very pleasant. Being a gorgeous sunny, autumnal day added to the ambience!

Members of the local Agroforestry group organised the day-there were plant stalls (indigenous & locally grown), demonstrations on planting tree seedlings, shitake mushroom logs, timber craftsmen and pruning demonstrations to mention a few.

Tree planting demonstration

 

Shitake mushroom logs.

Agroforestry means to grow and manage trees for multi purpose use on farms and rural properties. Rowan, the owner has set about to do just that. He uses his property as a working example to educate both local and international people

about the possibilities of tree management. He has established both indigenous and exotic species, many experimental with regard to growing conditions and growth rates. If suitable varieties are pruned correctly, they can be used as a sustainable source for the furniture and building industries.

Sequoia sepervirens Californian redwood, is proving very successful, also Quercus robur English oak, as well as Grevillea robusta Silky oak. Due to its strength and durability, English oak was the major timber grown and used for construction and ship building in Elizabethan England (Field Guide to the    Trees and Shrubs of Britain,1981).

English oak pruned to produce straight
 trunks for furniture manufacture.

Rowan grazes sheep among the trees, a very happy relationship.

Several hundred people wandered about the property, totally engaged in the talks and demonstrations or simply basking in the wonderful environment. Visiting such a successful ‘experiment’ is truly heartening with regard to the future of sustainable energy and products.

Blog 1: Banksia Harvest.

On a visit to our family farm at Deans Marsh,(two hours west of Melbourne), I harvested some banksias planted in October 2010.

Several varieties planted were cultivated by a local resident and are well suited to the site.----

Some of the flowers collected.
Species include Banksia baxteri, Banksia media and Banksia speciosa 

The site is set on a steep hillside in an exposed paddock facing west. Plantings are on a dam bank and  surrounding fenced off area. The dam was fenced off some time ago then weed treated to reduce competition. The new seedlings were protected from rabbit predation using milk cartons and bamboo stakes.

 Other species were also planted to create variety, they were probably ‘left-overs’ from previous plantings. These include Mentha australis River mint, Tasmannia lanceolata Mountain pepper and Thryptomene saxicola Thryptomene. River mint makes a very nice tea ‘infusion’ and Mountain pepper has a natural spiciness for flavouring foods such as pasta sauces or cheeses. I tried some at a cooking demonstration last year.

Our family has been involved in Agroforestry for many years with annual tree planting days where we invite family & friends to come along & participate. Have heard grumblings about ‘slave labour’ which I trust were tongue-in-cheek!!

The physical & aesthetic changes which have occurred over the past 18 years have been astonishing.

Many paddocks once bare and hungry looking are now dotted with plantations teeming with birds & wildlife. They also provide shelter belts for livestock and create wildlife corridors with neighbouring farmers and remnant bushland. Being involved in this project and seeing the changes in the landscape has been a fantastic and enriching experience.

Planting out the exposed dam area will hopefully address some of these problems in that area too. The banksias may also prove viable as cut flowers, a possible future venture!

The fenced off dam with views to plantations in the background.

number one

I finally created a blog!