Most Australian Christmas traditions have predominately derived from our British heritage, as well as European influences and later the American commercial influences. The tradition of the Christmas tree in Australia has its roots in Victorian England when Queen Victoria and her German Prince, Albert, popularized its use in England during the mid nineteenth century.  The fashion quickly spread throughout the colonies and the Christmas tree has since become an integral element of Australian Christmas celebrations.

The tradition of the Christmas tree has pagan ritual origins.  Originally, evergreen trees were symbols of life and fertility among some European cultures.  They were used in ceremonies and festivals during the winter solstice.  This symbol was merged with the celebration of Christmas leading to the tree’s Christian beginnings.

Some traditions (wrongly) credit St Boniface an 8th century a monk from Crediton, Devonshire and two common versions of the legend persist. In one, St Boniface is said to have used a triangular sprig of Fir tree to symbolize the holy trinity to unbelievers whom subsequently adopted the fir tree as a Christian symbol.  The other popular version is that St Boniface cut down the legendary Donar Oak (also known as Thor’s Oak) sacred to the local pagan Germanic peoples.  This version again divides with some versions believing St Boniface planted a fir tree there, but the most common idea is that a fir tree grew spontaneously in the oak’s place.

The custom of erecting and decorating a Christmas tree can be historically traced to 16th century Livonia (present-day Estonia and Latvia) and 16th century Northern Germany.  Though the Christmas tree custom spread through Germany, the tradition did not become widespread throughout Europe until 19th Century.  In England the first Christmas tree was erected by the Georgian royal Queen Charlotte in Windsor Lodge in 1800.

In Europe, the original and still most common tree used is the Norway Spruce (Picea abies).  Other popular choices include Silver Fir (Abies alba), Nordmann Fir (Abies nordmanniana), Noble Fir (Abies procera), Serbian Spruce (Picea omorika), Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris), and Swiss Pine (Pinus cembra). In Australia, the Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata), a species originating in California, and grown in South-eastern Australia, is the most widely used tree.  Available as a cut tree, it is a common sight throughout the country in the lead up to Christmas eve.

Artificial trees were introduced in the mid 20th century and brought the best of kitsch to Christmas, while “environmentally friendly” living Christmas trees became commercially available during the 1980’s.  The most popular choice being Australian native Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) Norway Spruce (Picea abies) and the Dwarf White Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’).

Just as the BBQ prawn is replacing the roast turkey on Christmas day and the Easter Bilby the Easter Bunny, it would seem a natural progression to draw upon local flora for Christmas decorations.  In fact Australian flora has appeared as Christmas decoration since the mid 19th Century with several Australian native plants becoming associated with Christmas.  It was refreshing for the Europeans settlers who were used to celebrating Christmas during the bleak winter dormancy to be surrounded by colourful summer wildflowers.  Due to their flowering period coinciding with the Christmas season such plants are referred to as ‘Christmas plants’.  The association with Christmas is usually reflected in the local ‘common names’.  Some examples include: Christmas Bells (Blandfordia grandiflora, B.nobilis), NSW Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum), Victorian Christmas Bush (Prostanthera lasianthos), Tasmanian and South Australian Christmas Bush (Bursaria spinosa), Christmas Orchid (Calanthe triplicate), and Christmas Tree (Nuytsia floribunda).  Even tree fern fronds (probably Dicksonia antarctica) were popular as Christmas decorations in 19th Century Australia.

Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)

Australia has several indigenous conifers, other than previously mentioned include: Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwilii), Hoop Pine (Araucaria cunninghamii), Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla), Huon Pine (Lagarostrobos franklinii), Cheshunt Pine (Diselma archeri), Kauri Pine (Agathis robusta), Celery-top Pine (Phyllocladus aspleniifolius), King Billy Pine (Athrotaxis selaginoides), Pencil pine (Athrotaxis cupressoides), and Cypress Pines (Callitris spp.). Of this group, few have a form or growth rate that readily lends itself as a substitute to the Norway Spruce or Monterey Pine. Norfolk Island and Hoop Pines however are exceptions with their fast growth rate and regular form created by whorled of branching.

Although we admit to not having the same fashion influence as Queen Victoria, it will be interesting to test the acceptance of native conifers during Australian festive seasons in the future.

The (Kurrajong) Brachychiton populneus is an under utilised Australian native species that has high drought tolerance coupled with an attractive broad-form that provides good shade coverage.  The Kurrajong definitely has a role to play in contemporary urban landscapes.

Origin

Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory

Habit

Modest size evergreen, broad domed tree of 12 to 15m in height by 12 to 15 m in crown diameter generally with a stout trunk.

Description

Bark is green and smooth on young trees and smaller branches in upper crown, becoming dark, compacted and coarsely fissured on stout trunk to larger branches of maturing specimens.

Foliage discolourous, glossy green above and paler green below. Mostly entire but sometimes with up to 3 small pointed lobes depending on subspecies. Subspecies populneus has mostly entire leaves reminiscent of Poplar (Populus genus) and subspecies trilobus has 3, sometimes 5, narrow lobes and more northerly and inland distribution.

Flowers, appearing in October to December, are cream to pale green bell shaped flowers with pale pink to purple flecks in the throat of the bell.
Fruit are a leathery boat shaped follicle with hairs on the seeds held within.

Tolerances

Drought tolerant, prefers free draining soils.
Low tolerance of waterlogged sites and excessive root disturbance. Can be transplanted successfully as a smaller tree (3-4m) but presence of residual tap root can be problematic.

Root space

Based on a mature size specimen of Kurrajong (12m crown spread) would require approximately 113m2 area or 68m3 root volume (crown projection method).

Availability

Readily available and as advanced specimens of 2-4m stock with generally successful establishment in free draining soils and sunny position.  Slow to moderate growth rate.

Uses & management

The tree has been observed to be thriving in the recent drought conditions throughout south-eastern Australia even in comparison to other species recognised as drought tolerant such as many eucalypt species and exotic conifers and evergreens.

It is a terrific dense, broad domed tree offering cool shade suitable for use in average to larger gardens.
An ideal street tree and suitable for pruning below electrical services.

Wood properties are low density and fibrous and shows a relatively poor ability to compartmentalise decay. Kurrajong has a generally reliable structure so therefore has a low susceptibility to decay unless wounded by external causes. Avoid trees with included bark forks although even these are rarely seen to have failed.
Foliage can be used as a supplementary source of fodder in conjunction with other types.

Has the potential to self-propagate on disturbed and neglected sites but otherwise has a relatively low weed potential.

Ref:
Florabank fact sheet http://www.florabank.org.au/lucid/key/species%20navigator/media/html/Brachychiton_populneus.htm
Australian Government.  Australian National Botanic Gardens. Growing Native plants.  http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2002/brachychiton-populneus.html

A large Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus Macrophylla) needed to be pruned to make room between it and the properly adjacent.
This species is a large evergreen banyan tree of the Moraceae family that is a native of most of the eastern coast of Australia, from the Atherton Tableland (17° S) in the north to the Illawarra (34° S) in New South Wales, and Lord Howe Island. Its common name is derived from Moreton Bay in Queensland, Australia. It is best known for its beautiful buttress roots, which are also known for damaging municipal footpaths.

As Ficus macrophylla is a strangler fig; seed germination usually takes place in the canopy of a host tree and the seedling lives as an epiphyte until its roots establish contact with the ground. It then enlarges and strangles its host, eventually becoming a freestanding tree by itself. Individuals may reach 60 m (200 ft) in height. Like all figs, it has an obligate mutualism with fig wasps; figs are only pollinated by fig wasps, and fig wasps can only reproduce in fig flowers.

Mick Tracy goes out on a limb to explain the special concerns regarding sap flow and the condition of the tree in preparation for pruning as well as showing some of the techniques employed. Many years of drought plus a recent year of rain has put some of Melbourne’s aging trees under some stress. He is seen secured by a rope slung high in the canopy and limb walking to the areas that need pruning,

Logical Tree Management (LTM) sets a new precedent in arboricultural care. Solutions are based on modern arboricultural principles and current Australian standards for tree pruning.

An established long term working relationship with many metropolitan council’s in regards to permit requirements for pruning and removals assists us in providing advice and service for any tree concern.

Prunus cerasifera vartieties Purple Leaf Plum, Overused, boring blight or a pleasing contrast to the normal green tones? Subjectivity aside, the densely compact, dark foliaged ‘Nigra’ or the fastigiate form of ‘Oakville Crimson Sentry’ are perennial favorites and have a place in urban landscapes.

Origin

According to Jacobson (1992), the origin of ‘Nigra’ is ambiguous. The ‘Oakville Crimson Sentry’ cultivar was selected in Sydney by Vic Ciccolella at his property called Oakville.

Habit

Small sized deciduous trees; both cultivars reaching 6 metres in height at maturity. ‘Nigra’ has dense, ascending branches that forms a rounded canopy of a similar width to the height. ‘Oakville Crimson Sentry’ has a compact, fastigiate habit which is 2 to 3 metres in width. Moderate to fast growth rate.

Description

Leaves simple, elliptic to ovate and slightly acuminate with serrated margins. Deep red-purple with ‘Nigra’ to reddish-bronze in ‘Oakville Crimson Sentry’. Bark is darkgrey, rough and becoming slightly furrowed with age. ‘Nigra’ has single petalled pink flowers and ‘Oakville Crimson Sentry’ has white flowers. Both cultivars hold their flowers in clusters that appear with the foliage in late winter to early spring.

Tolerances

Both cultivars tolerate a range of soil types, they are highly tolerant of frost and moderately tolerant of drought. Purple-leaved Cherry-plum has a low tolerance of compaction, waterlogging and aerial salt. It may also be prone to boring insects during later stages of maturity. Pear and Cherry Slug can also infest the foliage.

Root space

Based on a mature size specimen of ‘Nigra’ would require approximately 20m2 area or 12m3 root volume (crown projection method).

Availability

Common; bare-root, container and advanced stock.

Uses & management

Some cultivars have been overused in the past, particularly in some streets at the expense of larger, longer lived species. These small statured ornamental flowering trees do however provide good foliage contrast and their size lends them to certain landscape uses. These trees are suitable for smaller urban landscapes, parks and streets, particularly under powerlines. ‘Oakville Crimson Sentry’ would be useful for screening or where horizontal space is restricted. Generally considered short to moderate-lived (50-100 years), small sized trees with ornamental characteristics and good tolerances. Easy to transplant. Prefer full sun position. Low litter problem. Fruit (plums) are sparse on both cultivars.

Featured Tree© Tree Logic Pty Ltd 2011
Ref:
Fleming’s Nurseries Pty. Ltd., Monbulk, Australia (2005) Ornamental trees and shrubs, web page, accessed May 10, 2005,
Jacobson, A. L. (1992) Purpleleaf plums.Timber Press.
Spencer, R. (2002) Horticultural flora of south-eastern Australia; flowering plants, dicotyledons, part 2, University of NSW Press.

Yarra Gum is a small to medium sized woodland tree endemic to southcentral Victoria. It is a lesser known member of the Swamp Gum Group and is considered rare with restricted populations occurring throughout its range.

Origin

South-central Victoria, Australia

Habit

Small to medium-sized tree, often with multiple trunks and usually a spreading crown. 10-15m high x 10-15m wide.

Description

Closely related to E. ovata but much less common, it has grey-brown to brown bark which is rough and persistent on trunk and larger branches. Conical to diamond shaped buds occur on pedicels in groups of seven with fruits having the obconical shape characteristic of the group. Adult leaves are elliptic-broad lanceolate, 6-10cm long x 2-3cm wide, glossy green with undulate margins.

Tolerances

Naturally occurs on poorly drained soils and withstands periods of inundation. Tolerance of drier sites is not known. Does not appear to be seriously affected by specific pests or disease and this may be partially due to the cyanogenic compounds (prunasin) contained in the foliage.

Root space

68m3 (crown projection method, based on estimated 12m canopy spread).

Availability

Uncommon but available through specialist indigenous plant nurseries.

Uses & management

Potentially reaching a height of 15-20m and a width of 15m, it is usually much smaller with some authors stipulating a height range of 6 -12m. Yarra Gum is adapted to lower lying areas and is suitable for planting in situations with impeded drainage. Given its moderate size and tolerance to low soil oxygen this tree may also suit compacted urban soils if adequate moisture available.

Featured Tree© Tree Logic Pty Ltd 2011
Nicolle, D (2006) Eucalypts of Victoria and Tasmania. Bloomings Books Pty Ltd, Melbourne.
Brooker,M. & Kleinig,D. (2006) Field Guide To Eucalypts Volume 1, South-eastern, 3rd Ed. Australia. Bloomings Books, Melbourne.
Gleadow, R. et. al. (2008) Frequency and distribution of cyanogenic glycosides in Eucalyptus, Phytochemistry 69 (2008) 1870–1874.
Accessed at; www.biolsci.monash.edu.au/staff/gleadow/docs/conn-2008-euc-cg.pdf.

Logical Tree Management is filmed here at the Metropolitan Golf Club carrying out aerial inspections on some very old Southern Mahogany. Some of these trees have reached a height of up to 38 meters and ten years of below average rainfall has had an impact on their health. The LTM crew give a first hand account of structural issues such as cavities and trunk decay, limb shed and reactive growth. An ongoing management plan will provide solutions for public safety, excessive fairway lean-over and overall the future health of these trees.

Acer x freemanii ‘Jeffersred’ Autumn Blaze Maple is a brilliant moderate to large sized tree that can adapt to a range of growing conditions. Superior orange-red autumn foliage. Fast growing and long lived narrow domed tree.

Origin

Cultivar selected by the late Glenn Jeffers of Jeffers Nursery in North Central Ohio (1980). A hybrid between A. rubrum and A. saccharinum.

Habit

Medium to large sized deciduous tree.  Dense, ascending branches forms a narrow-domed canopy.  Moderate to fast growth rate, mature size ranges between 15-20m high x 10-12m wide.

Description

Leaves simple, deeply palmately lobed (5-lobed), smaller but resembling the Silver Maple leaves that are rich and medium green in colour. Foliage turns brilliant orange-red in autumn.  Bark grey, smooth and becoming furrowed with age.

Tolerances

Vigorous, fast-growing tree that adapts to most soils, including clays, and climates. Can tolerate periodic waterlogging as well as extended dry periods.  Tree can tolerate low oxygen urban soils and frost. Good radiant heat tolerance. Not seriously affected by pest or disease.

Root space

Based on mature size, the tree would require approximately 113m2 area or 68m3 root volume (crown projection method).

Availability

Common; bare-root, container and advanced stock.

Uses & management

Urban landscapes, parks and streets. Long-lived, moderate to large sized tree with ornamental characteristics and good tolerances.  Easy to transplant. Prefers full sun position. Low litter problem; virtually seedless. The lateral limbs can try to out-compete the leader, so formative pruning to a central leader is important.

Featured Tree© Tree Logic Pty Ltd 2011
Ref:   van Gelderen, D. M., de Jong, P. C., & Otterdoom, H. J. (1994) Maples of the world. Florilegium.
Poplar Farms 2010 . The Society of Municipal Arborists is proud to present The 2004 Urban Tree of the Year Autumn Blaze Maple.
Available at: Poplar Farms

Docklands project sees the avenue of  Norfolk Island Pines finally being planted.

Early in March, Tree Logic was onsite at Harbour Esplanade with consultants Brown and Tompkinson, BKK Architects, Taylor Cullity Lethlean and Cut & Fill to witness a long and extensive project take shape. Steve Frank explains why the Norfolk Island Pine was the species of choice for this major Vic Urban Harbourside development.

Thanks to all those involved

docklands.com
Vicurban
BKK Architects
Brown and Tomkinson
Taylor Cullity Lethean Lanscape Architects
Cut and fill

Quercus bicolor (Swamp White Oak)
It is a deciduous tree with a wide spreading domed canopy and lush green foliage, it is also resistant to pest and disease, has drought tolerance and looks great in the street.

Origin
A lowland tree from the north-central and northeastern regions of North America. Habitats and vegetation associations can vary however, generally found on hydromorphic soils. Annual rainfall can also vary from 640mm to 1270mm. Temperatures can also vary from -34 to 41 degrees celsius.
Habit
Medium sized deciduous tree. Wide spreading, broad domed canopy. Moderate to fast growth rate, mature size ranges between 20-25m high x 15-25m wide.
Description
Leaves simple, large, dark-green glossy above, paler, generally glaucous below, with 5-7 shallow lobes on each margin. Foliage turns yellow-brown, sometime reddish in autumn. Bark a grey and furrowed with age. Acorns 2-3 (similar to English Oak) on long stalk; not known as a litter drop problem.
Tolerances
Adapts to most soils; not alkaline (pH >5.9). High waterlogging (can withstand periods of inundation) and low oxygen tolerance. Tree can withstand periods of drought. Not seriously affected by pest or disease.
Root space
Based on mature size, the tree would require approximately 315 to 490m2 area or 190 to 295m3 root volume (crown projection method).
Availability
Uncommon.
Uses & management
Urban landscapes, parks and streets. Long-lived, moderate sized tree with ornamental characteristics and good tolerances suggest that this oak should be more widely used in urban landscapes. Easy to transplant. Low litter problem.

Swamp White Oak Bark detail

Ref:

Spencer, R., (1997), Horticultural flora of south-eastern Australia, University of New South Wales Press LTD, Australia.
USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry (2010) ‘Swamp Wite Oak’ Available at: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/quercus/bicolor.htm
Urban Forestry Department. The Ohio State University. Shade Trees and Biodiversity in the Urban Environment. (2010) Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) Available at: http://shade-trees.tripod.com/families/selections/swamp_white_oak.html

Click to download Quercus bicolor Factsheet

This palm is primarily grown for its ornamental characteristics, mainly due to its attractive, silver-blue colored, fan-shaped leaves. This distinctive palm makes an extraordinary accent plant and can be used as a focal point. The arching flower panicles of the blue hesper palm are one of the most beautiful among all the palms. A small to moderate-sized palm that is easy to grow.
Good drought and cold tolerance.

Origin:

Mexico, Baja California

Habit:

Palm. Solitary stem and rounded crown of leaves.

Description:

Slow growing, small to medium sized palm; 12 to 15 metres in height with the crown being approximately 5 metres wide. Single, grey trunk holding a rounded crown of stiff, silvery-blue fan shaped leaves.
Arching panicles of flowers extend beyond the leaves; white flowers followed by dark-brown fruit.

Tolerances:

Grows in full sun and part-shade positions; tolerant of light frost. Desert palm with high tolerance of drought, but would benefit from occasional irrigation during extended dry periods. Also grows well in alkaline soils. Moderately tolerant of salty soils.

Availability:

Unknown. Presume rare. Propagated from seed.

Uses & management:

Urban landscapes, parks and streets. No major pest or disease concerns. Ornamental characteristics and tolerances suggest that this palm should be more widely used in urban landscapes. Roots are sensitive to disturbance; can be difficult to transplant. The petioles are covered in spines. This palm is best planted away from foot paths or walkways

Photo © Philip Greenwood

Bibliography:

Floridata 2010 Brahea armata. updated 18/1/04. Available at: http://www.floridata.com/ref/b/brah_arm.cfm [Accessed, 18/8/10).
Spencer, R. 2005. Horticultural flora of south-eastern Australia Volume 5: flowering plants. Monocotyledons. University of New South Wales Press.
Download the Blue Hesper Palm fact sheet