| Blog Rating: |   |
(4.9 out of 5 as rated by 35 users) |
| Powered By BlogNow - Get Your Free Blog |
|
4 July 2008 9:22 PM "People are usually wary of eucalypts dropping branches, hence common name of 'Widow Maker'. Are you able to comment, myth or not ? Are there some species, (ie the smaller size species) which are less likely to drop branches".
No, I don't think its a myth. There's no doubt that some eucalypts do drop dead branches from time to time and this can happen even if there is no strong winds blowing. In my experience the branches that drop aren't especially large but even a 75-100 mm diameter branch can cause injury when it drops from 10 or 15 metres from the ground. However, I'm not convinced that its purely restricted to eucalypts. It seems to me that any tall forest tree is going to do the same thing - that's how they form those tall trunks with no lower branches. The smaller growing species are certainly less likely to drop branches but, unfortunately, I'm not aware of any data that lists species most likely to cause problems. It might be worth contacting the State Forestry authority as they might be better placed to comment. * * * * * *
Does anyone want to comment on this? Is there any data that points to specific trees being more prone to drop branches than others?
{ 0 Comments } { Add Comment } { Permanent Link }
2 July 2008 7:30 PM From the ABC's 'News in Science' web site comes details of research by the University of Queensland's Department of Natural Resources and Water. The research finds that extensive clearing of native trees is making Australian droughts hotter and is an under-recognised factor in climate change.The researchers point out that "it is too simplistic to attribute climate change purely to greenhouse gases" and that "protection and restoration of Australia's native vegetation needs to be a critical consideration in mitigating climate change." Further details from the News in Science website.
24 June 2008 8:57 AM Last year was an important milestone in the history of the Australian plants movement, fifty years of operation of the Society for Growing Australian Plants. The occasion was marked by a birthday celebration in Melbourne in March 2007 when the book SGAP The story of Arthur Swaby and the Society for Growing Australian Plants, written by former Victorian Secretary John Walter, was launched. This was particularly appropriate as it was in Melbourne on March 12, 1957 that Arthur Swaby chaired an inaugural meeting of a group first known as “Australian Growers of Australian Plants” and later by the familiar name “Society for Growing Australian Plants”. One hundred and eighty seven people were recorded at the meeting, a far cry from the 12 or so that Swaby timidly hoped might attend, and within a short time, membership stood at over 400 across Australia. From this small beginning, the Society now has over 8000 members including a number living overseas who share a common interest in, and indeed a passion for, the Australian flora.
The booklet Fifty years promoting Australian plants : a checklist of publications by SGAP and its members 1957-2007 is the result. It was prepared by Tony Cavanagh, John Walter and Jan Sked and is confined to books, booklets and AV discs that were published or sponsored by SGAP Groups, Branches, Regions, Study Groups and individuals. It does not list items that were produced solely through commercial publishers, even though the author(s) may have been SGAP members. Books such as David Hockings’ Friends and foes of Australian gardens, published by A.H. & A.W. Reed, are however included because they were “Published in association with the Society for Growing Australian Plants”. Material is arranged alphabetically under five major headings:
The total of around 350 items is very impressive, making the booklet an invaluable resource and important for demonstrating the work carried out by SGAP members in promoting Australia plants over our first 50 years. The booklet costs $5 and is available from the Society's regional groups. Contact details can be found on the following websites for the regions: ASGAP Regional Groups
20 June 2008 11:49 AM ASGAP's online magazine has been updated. You can find the new articles, short items and reviews at the Australian Plants online Index.
16 June 2008 8:57 AM Not a lot flowering at this time of year, but a few days ago I noticed a bit of colour hidden away among my pot plant collection. Closer inspection revealed clusters of flowers on my Epacris impressa (I simply refuse to call this plant 'Fuchsia heath' - it's demeaning to both plants).This is a wonderful little plant, native to moist sandstone areas around the central coast of New South Wales as well as around the NSW/Queensland border.
It's typically a fairly straggly shrub comprising several long, arching branches and is usually less than a metre in height.. Some may find its habit untidy, but I loathe neatness so it appeals to me.... The flowers are narrow and tubular, up to 40mm long and occur along the branches. They contain nectar and are frequented by honey-eating birds. The typical colour is red with a white tip but some variations are in cultivation such as a fully white form. In nature, the plant almost always has some flowers present. I find the plant difficult to maintain in the garden but, as a pot plant it is superb. Is anybody out there!!?? Surely there must be one or two readers who have favourites that they could write a sentence or two about..... If you have a plant or two that you particularly like and that might be useful for others, drop me an email. Previous FavouritesKangaroo Paw HybridsAlloxylon flammeum: Tree waratah Jacksonia scoparia: Dogwood Banksia media: Southern plains banksia Correa 'Mannii' Myoporum floribundum: Slender myoporum Hibbertia diffusa: Wedge guinea flower Callistemon 'Injune'
12 June 2008 4:56 PM The Hobart Group of the Australian Plants Society Tasmania has compiled a new booklet to introduce gardeners to the joys of growing local native plants in their gardens.
It will be available FREE from Tasmanian State Libraries, municipal offices in the region, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens and the Sustainable Living Centre. Copies will also be available from Nurseries that stock local native plants (see this link for a list). Further information on growing these and many more local native plants can be obtained at Society meetings and from website of the Hobart District Group of the Australian Plants Society (Tasmania). The booklet is an Australian Government Envirofund project funded through the Natural Heritage Trust program. Congratulations to the Hobart Group for undertaking this great project!
9 June 2008 8:48 AM A fascinating story from the Australian Plants Society (Tasmania) website.....At Mt Read in north-west Tasmania, at an altitude of 1000 metres, are several hundred Huon Pine trees which share an extraordinary legacy.
It is concluded that a male tree established itself at Lake Johnston at least 10,500 years ago, possibly as a windblown seed, and has been propagating itself vegetatively ever since, so that the identical genes survive to this day. Thus, while the oldest individual tree or stem on the site now may be one to two thousand years old, the organism itself has been living there continuously for at least 10,000 years – a ‘Methuselah tree’ indeed. Read more at the website.
31 May 2008 9:11 AM Here's an initiative that could be a model for other Local Government authorities and district groups of the Society.Hornsby Council's Online Herbarium was created in partnership between Hornsby Council and members of the North Shore Group of the Australian Plants Society. The Herbarium is based on a pressed plant collection housed in the Local Studies section of Hornsby Library, which has been assembled by Jenny Lewis and a team of dedicated local volunteers over ten years. Jenny and the team from the North Shore Group of the Australian Plants Society are continually adding high-quality scans of live material as well as photographs of plants in the field. The Online Herbarium is an easy to access, fully searchable electronic database, containing photos and information on hundreds of plants collected locally.
When completed, the database is expected to include more than 900 native species and over 200 introduced plants found so far in Hornsby Shire. Other plants will be added as they are found. Details on each plant include its classification, family, genus, species, common name, collection location and habitat, and will assist bush regenerators in identifying plants at bushcare sites. Check out the online herbarium by visiting Hornsby Council's Library web site and then selecting the link to the Hornsby Online Herbarium. Hearty congratulations to the North Shore group on a fantastic initiative. If any reader knows of anything similar elsewhere, I'd be interested in hearing about it.
27 May 2008 11:10 PM On December 14th 1982, the Tasmanian Wilderness Society began an on site blockade of construction work on a dam to flood the Franklin River in south west Tasmania. This action was the culmination of 7 years protest against the proposed dam.
Speakers will include Greens Senator Bob Brown, Professor David Bellamy, former Prime Minister Bob Hawke as well as musician Shane Howard and many more. Listen to the stories, see the pictures, hear the music, catch up with old friends over a drink a bite to eat and pay homage to a magnificent river saved. For further details see the Franklin River 25th Anniversary website. Included on the site are two You Tube videos showing the Franklin River Blockade and other protest action.
16 May 2008 7:56 AM ASGAP's online magazine has been updated. You can find the new articles, short items and reviews at the Australian Plants online Index.
{ Previous Page } { Page 1 of 19 } { Next Page }
|
A forum for news about Australian native plants - maintained by the Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants (ASGAP). 'Gumnuts' Home Articles Index ASGAP Home ASGAP Photo Gallery Australian Plants online Navigating 'Gumnuts'  Subscribe to RSS feed
Search 'Gumnuts' Recent Entries Eucalypts as 'Widow Makers' Native Trees and Climate Change Booklet: Fifty Years Promoting Australian Plants Australian Plants online - June 2008 Update Favourites: Epacris longiflora |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
