Two Tree Weeds

Many of the road-side and rail-side reserves of Drouin contain two particular weed species of some concern, Wild Tobacco Tree, (Solanum mauritianum), and Sweet Pittosporum, (Pittosporum undulatum).

Wild Tobacco Tree - more a shrub than a tree - is from South America and is a very invasive and highly toxic species. The unripe berries in particular are highly poisonous and have been known to cause deaths in stock animals, (and humans by all accounts!). For some people, even the fine hairs on the underside of the leaves can irritate the skin.

Wild Tobacco Tree out competes native vegetation and can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions. It particularly likes disturbed sites and is stimulated by fire. Some birds and mammals will eat the ripe fruit and this is thought to be the main way the species is distributed.

Sweet Pittosporum is a native species that originated in Queensland but has now spread right down the south-east coastal strip and elsewhere, even to other countries. It is a fast grower and can quickly out-shade other native trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses.

Considering the environmental damage that can be done by this species, it is hard to fathom why it is still sold in plant nurseries. This invader too, is principally spread by birds and mammals that eat the fruit.

Whilst ‘one man’s weed is another’s wildflower’ is a popular adage, when it comes to some species perhaps a modicum of prudence might be advisable!

Note: There are numerous websites that offer suggestions as to how to eradicate these and other weeds. Here’s a link to the Baw Baw Shire’s Weed Control page.

Drouin Street Walks

As part of the recent Gardivalia Festival, several members of the Friends of Drouin’s Trees conducted three walks around some of the streets of Drouin, highlighting a few of our beautiful trees and some historic locations.

 

Under the Bill Kraft giant in Albert Rd

Feedback was very positive - “As always it was a delight.  Your hard work and dedication you, Peter, Wes and all your other helpers is fantastic. Imparting your knowledge on the local history, nature and wildlife of our gorgeous town shows what great town spirit Drouin has to offer.  Another amazing effort and I cannot wait for the next walk.”- thanks Karla

 

The shady ash in the Drouin Primary School grounds - what an asset!

Consideration is being given to conducting some future similar events. Drouin’s trees, parks, wetlands and reserves are indeed worth showing off.

 

Being addressed by Greg Hollis - BBS Environmental Sustainability Coordinator

The three walks were inspired by the work being done by the friends group who are producing a booklet that will contain detailed descriptions, maps and photographs of twelve such walks around the town. This project is being supported by the Baw Baw Shire and the Drouin and District Community Bank®. Layout and artwork is being done by Helen TimburyDesign of Drouin and the free booklet is expected to be available in the first half of next year.

 

At McNeilly Wetlands with E. strzeleckii in the distance

Walking of course is good for the mind, body and soul – why not appreciate some of Drouin’s beautiful places at the same time?

The Bill Kraft Giant

The streets, parks and reserves of Drouin are blessed with giants. The tree register compiled by The Friends of Drouin’s Trees contains over one hundred trees with a circumference greater than 4 metres, (1.27m diameter). More than ninety of these giants in the town are remnant Mountain Grey Gums, Eucalyptus cypellocarpa.

The Bill Kraft giant outside 39 Albert Rd is a Mountain Grey Gum that dominates the streetscape in the area.

The trunk of this magnificent specimen has a girth of 7 metres, (2.23m diameter), and is estimated to be forty-something metres tall. A very rough method of estimating the age of such a tree is to multiply the diameter in centimetres by 1.1, making this giant to be somewhere around 245 years old. Short of cutting down the tree and counting the growth rings, experts use such factors as diameter, height, habitat, hollows, disease and insect attack and the like, to more accurately assess the age of living eucalypt trees – a science beyond the scope of this scribe.

For about 250 years, the Bill Kraft giant has been absorbing pollution from the air and ‘exhaling’ oxygen back to the atmosphere, providing shade, tempering gales, improving property values, reducing run-off, lowering the water table, absorbing noise, etc. This single tree has provided habitat for countless birds, mammals, insects and reptiles. (Any wonder The Friends of Drouin’s Trees tree register is being included in the shire’s list of ASSETS!)

Bill Kraft was an important Drouin identity. He was the manager of the Drouin Co-operative Milk Factory, the president of Drouin’s Chamber of Commerce and an active member of many other local committees. For some time during the 1940’s, Bill Kraft lived in Albert Rd near to the site of this large tree.

 

Image courtesy of the National Library of Australia