My favourite Drouin Tree

The ‘Chairmaker’s Giant’, Buln Buln Rd

The Chairmaker’s Giant is a stand alone Mountain Grey Gum in the paddock east of Buln Buln Rd. It is perhaps best observed from the urban woodland in Elizabeth Cl or from the north-west corner of Crystal Waters estate.

Measuring 35m tall and a girth of 8.1m, the Chairmaker’s Giant is one of Drouin’s largest trees. It contains numerous hollows of various size, making it an excellent habitat tree for native wildlife.

“When I see this tree every day, I am reminded of the trees on a former property I once owned and the history of the chairmaker of the Drouin swamp is a fascinating one.”

In 1878, Antonio Debertolis, a furniture craftsman from Austria, settled in Drouin. Using natural materials gathered from the Gum Scrub Creek area, Antonio crafted chairs of remarkable beauty without the use of nails, screws or glue. One of Antonio’s chairs is on display in the Power House Museum in Sydney. (LINK 1 – Lincolnshire Windsor and rush-seated chairs. LINK 2 – The Chairmaker of the Drouin Swamp)

This old giant eucalypt would have been part of the landscape in Antonio’s day and it is hoped the tree will be preserved as development occurs in the locality.

 

Contributed: Rhipidura

Let us know if you have a favourite Drouin tree and why. Contributions welcome.

 

 

McNeilly Darter

It was good today to come across a Darter drying its wings amongst the reeds at McNeilly Park.

Darters swim with their body submerged and only their heads and long necks showing, which gives rise to their alternative common name, Snake Bird. They are a widespread species sometimes found on water bodies deep inland.

Like Cormorants, the Darter's feathers are not particularly waterproof and much time is spent by both species, between feeding dives, drying out in the sun.

The wonderful Strzelecki Gum at the southern end of the wetland was alive with at least four species of birds using or guarding nest hollows. This tree is like a high rise apartment for the many birds that use it.

A pair of Pacific Black Ducks were inspecting one of the lower apartments.

Out on the water, another 'blacky' was making a bit of a splash.

Don't forget that if you want more nature information on Baw Baw Shire, try visiting our new website, Baw Baw Biodiversity and explore some of the links. Feedback welcome.

The Nodders are up and about

The Nodding Greenhood, Pterostylis nutans, is a common, terrestrial orchid that flowers through winter. At the moment, there are several colonies of these orchids appearing in some natural bush areas in and around Drouin.

In a good season, Nodding Greenhoods can grow as tall as 30+ cm.

It is a distinctive species and is found widely throughout our district, growing in a variety of habitats.

Nodding Greenhoods are pollinated by tiny fungi gnats. The insect is attracted to the flowerhead and crawls inside. The hairy labellum (tongue) of the orchid closes against the ‘hood’, trapping the insect which struggles to escape. In doing so, the orchid has deposited some pollen onto the insect.

After a short while, the labellum releases and the insect escapes, flies to another flower and the process repeated, hence cross-pollination occurs. Some greenhood species can also self-pollinate.

The native orchid world is a fascinating one and we have these remarkable plants on our doorstep.