Sometimes trees native to the area can prove a failure as far as landscaping aesthetics are concerned.
A case in point being the Blakely’s red gum
Eucalyptus blakelyi, a ubiquitous species native to the ACT and a wide area of SE Australia, but one which is susceptible to heavy attack by psyllids which can disfigure and drain the tree’s vitality. This species was once planted along Northbourne
Avenue but as the National Capital Development Commission received continual criticism, often from tourists driving into Canberra along Northbourne, to the effect that “all those trees are dying,” the Blakely’s red gums were replaced by another species of
eucalyptus the name of which now escapes me but I think they were commonly called Swamp Peppermints.
Although not a native of the area they did well here and looked green and lush year round, and the birds appeared to accept them. Alas, I’m told the Swamp Peppermints
have now gone to make way for Andrew’s “albino pachyderm.”
John Layton
Holt.
