canberrabirds

Loss of mature native trees

To: Canberra birds <>
Subject: Loss of mature native trees
From: John Layton <>
Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2018 01:26:17 +0000

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.

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
Admin

The University of NSW School of Computer and Engineering takes no responsibility for the contents of this archive. It is purely a compilation of material sent by many people to the Canberra Ornithologists Group mailing list. It has not been checked for accuracy nor its content verified in any way. If you wish to get material removed from the archive or have other queries about the list contact David McDonald, list manager, phone (02) 6231 8904 or email . If you can not contact David McDonald e-mail Andrew Taylor at this address: andrewt@cse.unsw.EDU.AU