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?
Pest Alert: Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer (PSHB)
The Polyphagous shot-hole borer (known as PSHB; Euwallacea fornicates) is a pest first detected in Australia 2021 in metropolitan Perth. Native to…
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…
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…
Think like a Koala and take a…
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…
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.…
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