From majestic giants to scrawny things clinging to the sides of cliffs, trees are the pinnacle of the plant world. Perhaps because they can easily be given personalities, they figure strongly in myths and fairy tales. They are clearly important to us – but how do we care for them when developers, industry and urbanisation threaten them?
Why Living Trees Suddenly Fall Down
It is quite common that in winter or after big storms we wonder why living trees suddenly fall down. In June 2021 in Victoria, savage storms swept…
Strawberry Gum
Image by John Moss, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Over the last few years, we have seen a positive rise in the popularity of Strawberry Gum…
Artificial Tree Hollows for Animal Habitat
There are many benefits in keeping dead trees. However, in the modern age, trees are usually viewed in terms of amenity and safety, with unsafe…
The Things People do . . . . . . . . . . to Trees!!!
Given the splendour and usefulness of trees in the urban environment, it is really amazing what otherwise sensible and apparently sane people do to…
Trees, not Just for Hugging – Video
Think like a Koala and take a look at trees from a whole new perspective. The home of our famous Aussie icon can also add significant value…
Economic Value of Trees
Many people would take it as a given that parks, gardens and trees have their own aesthetic and intrinsic values. However, so often in capitalist…
Fragrant Frangipani
I was surprised to find a stunning Frangipani tree growing near where I live in the dry, hot climate of South Australia, so of course I took lots of…
Crepe Myrtle – a Beautiful Shade Tree
Lagerstroemia indica, commonly known as Crepe Myrtle has been a classic favorite of gardeners for many years. It’s almost impossible to resist this…
White Cedar – a Shade Tree
There is always something that makes a plant less than perfect but until I discovered the seeds of Melia azedarach were toxic to humans and other…
Can’t see the Trees for the Lawns?
Each spring and early summer it is amazing how fast grass, weeds and lawns can grow. The combination of longer, warmer days and the occasional shower…
Cities, Climate Change and Gardening
Rachel Reef writes: Have you ever noticed that somehow, the temperature seems to be lower on the outskirts and in the countryside? Yeah, so have I.…
The value of trees in urban areas
It is a great pity that so many of our citizens think of our parks, gardens, streetscapes and urban landscapes only in terms of their aesthetics.…
Espaliering Trees
Okay, despite what my mates thought, espalier is NOT a Spanish bullfighter, tropical disease or foreign currency, but a fantastic way to grow trees…
Plant a Tree
We've all heard the news - the planet is in strife. We're choking on carbon emissions, chopping down forests and doing untold damage to our fragile…
