Tree of the month: Illawarra Flame Tree

Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) is the region’s most famous tree, although its natural range is from the Shoalhaven River to Far North Queensland. It normally takes about 15 years to flower, and the photos above are of one of the six I planted in the Banksia Bush Care site some 30 years ago. They flower intermittently, but this summer, they were spectacular. I was even surprised to find that one of the 70 we planted five years ago has started to flower, albeit on only one branch.

They are relatively easy to germinate. The seeds are in a large pod covered in prickly hairs. Wear gloves, rub off the hairs then place seeds in hot (not boiling) water and allow to stand for 24 hours before planting. If your parks are bothered by deer, Flame Trees will be eaten, broken and ringbarked, so they will need to be caged.

The large leaves are variable in shape, and form an attractive, glossy tree even when not flowering. They flower best when planted in full sun.

Our First Nations people used the bark for making string, traps and fishing nets. They also ate the seeds, after removing the prickly hairs by roasting.

Banksia Bush Care at Stanwell Park Reserve

Recent rains have produced a lot of growth in trees – but also in weeds, such as ochna, lantana, senna and asparagus fern. Bush care requires constant maintenance. Tree planting has started in No. 33 Stanwell Avenue, next to Doran House and will continue throughout this year, together with the planting of littoral rainforest trees, native grasses and ground covers. A big thanks to residents who have supplied us with star posts and wire mesh to make cages to protect young trees from deer.