Majestic trees and all they have to offer

After this week it may look like I'm walking around with my head in the clouds, but not so, my head is firmly in the trees. This week I started a masters subject in Managing Trees in Urban Horticulture and enjoyed it immensely. I have always love the majesty of trees. I am constantly amazed at their ability to grow so tall, strong, provide environmental benefits, house animals, defy gravity, withstand and regrow from devastating events, such as fire and the list goes on.

Trees should be included into most gardens. Often people are reluctant to plant trees for fear they may grow too big, that their root system may rip up driveways, destroy pipe systems, oh and the one I really find entertaining – trees drop leaves. Let me put a few of these ‘reasons’ into perspective.

Firstly, "a tree may grow too big..." This is very subjective – what is too big? A tree’s size at maturity does need to be a primary consideration when including trees into your garden. However, most gardens have the potential to include a thriving majestic specimen. Trees, like any plant chosen for a garden, needs to be selected for a specific site. Trees will give you a strong three dimensional atmosphere to your garden. Trees provide structure and grunt to your garden and as long as you buy healthy stock from a reliable tree grower, and plant it properly in the first instance, trees will look after themselves after the ‘establishment period’ – say three months.

You should buy from a reliable grower/supplier to better ensure your tree has good fibrous roots that aren’t pot bound, and that it has good vitality and form. This sets you up right from the beginning. Prior to planting your tree, please read this internet page  http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/tree_planting.aspx It gives a very straightforward and recommended planting method. Essentially your hole needs to be shallow(ish) and wide, not deep and narrow. Tree shouldn’t be planted too deep otherwise you’re opening up to various root and rot problems down the track.

While I’m on roots, I can tell you that tree roots won’t seek out your water pipe system to destroy them. If your pipes are cracked and leak the yes roots will grow well in this site. Why wouldn’t they, it’s an area with a permanent water supply. Cracked pipes should be replaced in any case.

Well I suppose my perspective on trees comes from a completely plant and horticultural bias, but also a respectful bias. Trees, small medium or large are amazing natural structures. As you walking around your local area or on your travels, just look up and you will see (I hope) some large tree canopy’s. If you get the chance, have a real look at it’s whole form, it’s trunk, bark, flowers, fruits and leaves. Most trees have something visually to offer and you may be very surprised and inspired by what you see.

Before I leave it here, I cannot finish without mentioning the attraction trees offer to bird and wildlife  in urban, periurban and country landscapes. As I walked into Burnley this morning through the native garden, I was overcome in such a relaxing way by the sound of birds. Where there are birds, and many of them are native, there is no doubt a plentyful food source for them - and here we have a little thriving ecology in the heart of Melbourne. 

All these photos were taken in May this year at Ripponlea. I was constantly looking up as I entered the garden and walked along the main driveway. The canopy of this Ficus macrophylla dominates as you get closer to the house. It openes up to reveal a huge buttress and spreading branches, taking ownership of the space. It was a majestic entrance to a majestic house and era.

A TASTE OF WINTER DELIGHTS

Luculia gratissima - Deliciously fragrant, multi-branching open shrub. Suits a sheltered south-easterly aspect. These scent and grandeur of these flowers is a definite asset to a garden if you have the right site.

The gigantic flower spikes emerging from Doryanthes excelsa. These will open up in spring and hold for quite a while. It's just such a magnificent structure to have and utilise in a garden.

The delicate appearing but very durable flowers of Leptospermum scoparium (Tea Tree). Many Australian natives flower in winter when climatic conditions are not as harsh, and so that their seed pods appear and are ready to be dispersed from spring to autumn when fire is more prevalent across the environment.

Agave attenuata - Give this plant some space and let it fill it without too much fuss and bother. It's an all year round performer - good structure, texture and colour.

Bronze juvenile growth of the Coastal Tea Tree - Leptospermum laevigatum. Leaf colour and changing leaf colour can be a very useful element when thinking about plants for your landscape.

Strelitzia reginae - Bird of Paradise, has been around in Victorian and Australian gardens almost since exotic plants started arriving, and for a very good reason. This Mediterranean plant has great architectural form - strong and purposeful, the flowers are interesting, prolific and long lasting on the plant. They are a great cut flower and provide interesting colour contrast.

Ground Covers

This is a Helichrysum of some sort. I need to find out what species. It's a great little native ground cover, like a little ray of bright sunshine.

Viola ground cover flowers. An often overlooked plant these days but still has a purpose in a semi shaded site, although it is not as drought tolerant as some ground covers available now. If you have a semi-shaded site that received some watering, then this could be an option for you. Plant on mass for a deserved effect.

Metallic purple-blue berries of Dianella tasmanica. This is a treat - this fantastic unusual colour should be considered, especially in a native garden.