Trees
This page will cover issues related to trees in the urban landscape plus tree selection, planting and maintenance in general.
Big Tree Database for Australia
Ever wondered how big the largest specimen of a tree species is, or where it's located? A National Register of Big Trees is now being established to collect such information for Australia. Members of the public will be able to nominate native or exotic trees of significance in parks and gardens as well as natural habitats. Learn more at the website: National Register of Big Trees
Safetree: "powerline friendly approved"
A collaboration betweeen ENERGEX and Greening Australia, the Safetree program aims to encourage responsible planting under and near powerlines. This includes the powerline connected to your home.
To help homeowners select appropriate tree and shrub species, a list of over 100 "Safetrees" has been developed. "Safetrees" share the following characteristics:
- suitable for south east Queensland
- grow less than 4 metres tall
- reasonably long lifespan
- low susceptibility to pests and diseases
- don't tend to shed material excessively
- not poisonous
- readily available
The list includes native and exotic species. Some are bird attracting. Others provide shade, flowers or fruit. You're sure to find something to suit your garden in the Safetree Planting Guide, which you can download from the ENERGEX site in PDF form: www.energex.com.au/pdf/network/planting_guide_LR.pdf
Alternatively, look for plants with Safetree tags and signage at participating garden centres.
More information about the Safetree Program is available via the following links:
ENERGEX safetree program ENERGEX
Energex Safetree Program Greening Australia
More Tree News
Laws on neighbours' trees to receive update
A draft copy of new laws designed to make disputes over trees and fences easier to resolve has been released for community consultation. It's hoped that the new laws will be better suited to the 21st century, with people today living in such close proximity. The draft bill includes clarification of the responsibilitites of the tree's owner. Read more at the Qld Govt website here: Neighbourhood disputes over trees and fences to be easier to resolve (May 2010)
Shady developments in Townsville
A number of trees removed from Flinders St Mall will be replanted in Reid Park, providing shade on the spectator mounds. The redeveloped Flinders St will retain some of the existing trees in addition to new trees. Source: Mall trees to provide shade at Reid Park (March 2010).
Technology may faciliate return of trees to urban spaces
The need for cool shady trees often conflicts with the need for car parking in ever-crowded cities. Cairns Regional Council is experimenting with an underground framework that will bear the load of traffic while providing uncompacted space for roots to grow. This will reduce the amount of space needed around each tree above ground, allowing large trees to grow without having to sacrifice a large amount of parking space. The system will be intially trialled on four trees on Hartley Street. More information: Plan to nurture shady street trees (February 2010)
Tree of Kowledge goes to university
One 25 plants propagated from Barcaldine's "Tree of Knowledge" after it's 2006 poisoning has been donated to the University of Queensland and has found a home at the St Lucia campus. Source: Knowledge planted at UQ (November 2009)
Reprieve for Bamford Lane trees
Townsville City Council have decided that forty-five fig trees slated for removal from Bamford Lane will be retained. Instead, it's hoped that regular pruning and the installation of root barriers will prevent the road damage that was occurring previously. Eight half-grown African mahogany trees which are already starting to cause damage will be replaced with more suitable species. Council has now banned the planting of African mahoganies as street trees in new subdivisions. Source: Council plan saves trees and road in Bamford Lane (August 2009)
Dead tree still has a role to play in Townsville landscape
After assessment by an arborist, an old gum in Pioneer Park, Townsville has been judged beyond help and a significant risk to public safety. The good news for residents and wildlife is that after cutting back of branches and poisoning (to prevent regrowth), the trunk will be retained as a nesting site. A replacement shade tree will also be planted nearby. Read more: Council to manage declining gum tree (2008)
One of Rocky's favourite trees collapses
An Enterolobium cyclocarpum that had been a feature of the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens for over 30 years has collapsed during heavy wind and rain. In spite of the unromantic common name of "Ear Tree" (due to the shape of the seedpods), the old tree was a popular site for weddings. Staff intend to plant another one soon. Meanwhile, anyone who has a booked a function at the Ear Tree should contact the Gardens. More information from the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens here: Botanic Gardens Icon Collapses January 2008
Hervey Bay has tree-lined vision
Hervey Bay City Council have arranged to have 41 six-metre high fig trees planted as part of a strategy to develop an entrance statement for the city. It's possible that grey water might be used to irrigate these and other trees. Read more at the Council's website here: Avenue of figs at entrance to the Bay.
More shade trees for Gold Coast
Unhappy with the amount of shade in the city, the Gold Coast City Council has reviewed its free plant scheme. Free shrubs and groundcovers are to be eliminated, but shade trees will continue to be offered. The planned Residential Tree Scheme and Street Tree Scheme are part of the Council's strategy to create Australia's "most attractive and shaded city". More information at the Council's website here: Free Tree Scheme to Green the City
Avenues of Honour
The Avenue of Honour Project 1915-2015 aims to document, preserve and restore trees planted to honour servicemen and women in the last century, in addition to planting new ones, in time for the Centenary of the Anzac in 2015. Many coummunity groups and government bodies (including Brisbane City Council - More information about their participation HERE) are collaborating with the RSL and TREENET on this project. If you have any information about memorial trees in your district, or you would just like to learn more about the project, visit the website: TREENET Avenues of Honour Project
Trees increase property values
Research indicates that the top five suburbs in Brisbane (rated by median house price) are all well furnished with street trees. In contrast, some of the poorest performing areas have few trees. Read the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) media release
Where to buy trees and tree services
You're likely to find a selection of trees suitable for your area in your local garden centres.
Some nurseries specialise in particular categories of plants (e.g. fruit trees, frangipani, palms, etc). These are good places to look for less commonly cultivated varities. Follow the links on the Plants for SE Qld page to see if there is a specialist nursery listed in your category of interest.
If you specifically want to buy trees in large container sizes for instant landscapes, try the nurseries listed on the Advanced Plants page. Some specialists may also carry advanced stock.
If you need large quanities of tubestock for farm forestry or revegetation projects, you may need to identify a wholesale grower or similar. Try local agricultural and forestry research stations or environmental organisations for suitable contacts (some links here: Australian Natives Links)
Looking for an arborist to professionally prune a tree or to assess or treat a tree problem? Arborists and Tree-related Services
More Links
Related topics on this site:
Queensland
Vegetation fact sheets Dept Natural Resources & Mines, Queensland. Series covers many aspects of tree planting, care and management for homes and farms, including (PDFs):
Pools 'n' Plants The Swimming pool and Spa Association of Queensland Inc. (SPASA)
safetree "Powerline friendly" planting tips from Energex
Historic trees
Information on several important trees in Qld, such as the "Burke and Wills Dig Tree". Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland
Australia
Urban Tree Stories Research project about people and trees in Australian cities in which you can participate. This website also has summaries of other research findings about urban trees
International
Planting a tree College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources free publication, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA (PDF)
Does Size Matter? Article about the advantages of planting a tree from small sized stock. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Florida
Danny Boy the Pipes.... Some views about clogged drain pipes and their treatment. Arboretum Plant Information Log (California)
Abiotic Diseases of Woody Ornamentals (Covers problems such as lightning strike, drought, hail damage, pollution and others) National Science Foundation Center for Integrated Pest Management, USA.
The "Should Nots" of Pruning Arid-Southwestern Gardening Information, University of Arizona Using trees to save energy College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources free publication, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA (PDF)
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