5 of The Most Common Trees Found In Melbourne
Trees are one of the greatest natural resources and the longest living organisms on earth. It is hard to say that life, without trees, would be the same. Trees not only contribute by being essential for life but form a truly beautiful part of the natural environment. Trees endlessly work as resourceful machines to make this beautiful planet healthier and happier since their inception dating back to about 385 million years. Trees help transform the surface of the earth into a bustling paradise for all living organisms because of their ecological benefits.
Trees are vibrant for the ecosystem and help humans improve mental and physical health, more so in urban settings, tricking dust, blocking noise, and absorbing pollutants from the air. Trees have incredible medicinal values, help slow down the rate of global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide and the carbon that they store in their wood, as they grow in addition to preventing flood and soil erosion.
Nature has been kind enough to bless different parts of this planet with different species of tree, this is mainly due to variations and influences of soil, climate, and water availability. Every tree is unique, being the reason different tree species grow in different climates and places to satisfy their own unique needs. Trees in different countries have different histories, significance and are specifically incredible to add great magnetism and existence, especially, in urban areas.
But do you know that Australia has many awesome native tree species and most of them contribute to the geographical marvels of Melbourne? Let us dive directly to know more about the 5 most common trees that have been incremental to add geographical sensation to Melbourne.
Eucalyptus, typically known for its fresh clean aroma, not only provides shelter and food for so many animals in Australia but also offers enormous medicinal properties to serve humans. Eucalyptus trees are also known as “gum trees” because of their features to exude a gum-like material whenever a break occurs in their bark.
Eucalyptus trees are versatile and varied in size from small to tall, their height extends up to 20m in Melbourne and is seen in broad streets, parks, avenues, etc.
The best places to grow Eucalyptus are exposed locations, although, when young under about 1.5m tall, it is not tolerant of severe frosts. The ideal places for the growth of Eucalyptus are moist-to-dry coastal sands. sands to clay sands, but they can tolerate the heavy clay soils, too.
If grown in a humid, still air, Eucalyptus leaves can suffer from dusty fungal disfiguration, but this filthy fungus, usually, does not result in any serious problem. Most Eucalyptus trees are evergreen except for some tropical species that tend to shed off their leaves as the dry season ends.
Melbourne experiences a great blend of Eucalyptus trees with other plantings and these trees have an affinity to grow fast. Eucalyptus trees are dominating the flora and are substantially a fast-growing wood source when compared to other native tree species in Australia.
The oil produced by Eucalyptus is beneficial in aromatherapy to relieve joint pains and can also be used for cleaning purposes. Research suggests that Eucalyptus oil may augment the immune system. With all the benefits and versatility Eucalyptus trees have, they consume a lot of water and usually restrict other species to grow in their vicinity because of the amalgams they release.
Elm trees are majestic and provide cooling shade and unparalleled beauty. Elm trees are dominant in many parks, boulevards, and gardens of Melbourne. This is mainly because of two reasons; they are able to survive even in the hardest urban environment and secondly, they have been planted for the aesthetic appeal they present to upkeep the elegance wherever they are planted.
Elms belong to the genus Ulmus species and are both semi-deciduous and deciduous. Elms are famous for their leaves as they have the affinity to change their colour to orange and yellow before they shed off in autumn. Elm trees grow fast to attain a great structure and in certain cases can live a hundred years.
Elms can grow in partial sunlight, or full sun and moist, well-drained fertile soil. Elm trees have the flexibility to grow in dry or wet soil as well. The maintenance for Elm trees is least because of their adaptability to different conditions and soils. But a major threat to Elms is that Elm trees are prone to disease only because of the Elm Leaf Beetle which is the main cause of damage to Elms. Elm Leaf Beetle eats into the leaves of Elm tree thereby preventing proper photosynthesis for the survival of this magnificent tree.
Apart from using the wood of Elms for a variety of purposes like making boxes, baskets, furniture, hockey sticks, veneer, wood pulp, and many more, Elms have medicinal values to benefit in skin problems, digestive problems, ringworm, wound healing and improving fertility in women.
Platanus also called planes or plane trees are extremely tolerant to different types of weather conditions as well as pollution and are commonly found almost everywhere in Melbourne. Platanus are not native to Australia, but their aesthetic appeal and wide presence are incredible to the urban beauty of Melbourne. Platanus are large, deciduous trees, known for their longevity and spreading crown adding much beauty to their looks.
The mature Platanus trees are tall, attaining a height between 30–50 meters (98–164 ft). These trees have scaling bark, broad trunk, usually lobed leaves; and ball-shaped seeds and flowers.
Compared to other urban trees their maintenance needs are quite low because of the very fewer water needs for their survival. The adaptability of these trees makes them an alluring ornamental choice for gardens and landscapes across Australia, and in Melbourne.
Platanus tree has medicinal values in the treatment of toothache and diarrhea, boiling the bark of Platanus in vinegar can be beneficial. Applying the bruised leave of Platanus offers good benefits in Conjunctivitis and other inflammatory conditions. The stems and roots are used to make colourful dye. Decent and valued indoor furniture can be carved out of Platanus wood, usually known as lacewood.
Banksia, although, not being native to Australia, has the greatest diversity of contributing to around 60 species of Banksia in southwestern Australia. Banksia dates back to its start in Australia in 1700, brought here by the Britishers. This tree took no time to find its way to home-landscapes and other prominent locations. It is easy to find the spiky-corn-like flowers of Banksia throughout Melbourne.
There is a variety of Banksia plantations in the city, ranging from low-growing shrubs to 25 m tall trees. Some species of Banksia are characterized by spectacular flower heads. A large number of birds and small mammals are attracted to the large volume of these flower heads. Banksia trees are exceptional to inspire native animals to gardens.
This tree usually grows best in well-drained soils in a sunny location. Most Banksias respond to light pruning. Some species grow well in most of the moderate areas of Australia and have shown a great affinity to high humidity and rainfall in summers.
Willow Bottlebrush is a small tree with an average height of 7 meters. Having a dense growth habit this tree is known for its excellent willow-like bright and lovely green foliage. Willow Bottlebrush is further decorated with creamy-white bottlebrush flowers and a fantastic young bright pink foliage growth, making it one of the beautiful trees in Melbourne. It is typically in the late spring when these flowers around 5cm in length appear on this tree.
The attractive trunk of Willow Bottlebrush is paper-barked, typically a mix of cream and tan. Height-restricted areas are the best locations to plant Willow trees because of the limited height they attain.
This tree is tolerant to waterlogged soil and can grow in the extreme condition of dry soils as well. Willow Bottlebrush forms a dynamic root system and can lift tar if cemented too-close to the trunk.
Willow Bottlebrush is not only known for its looks but offers medicinal values in urinary incontinence and as a diuretic to benefit in urinary tract problems and bed-wetting in children. Native people of Australia use flowers of Bottlebrush as a natural energy drink.
The Final Thoughts
Trees are vital to every community. They have been the greatest source to provide oxygen, the most essential ingredient to living organisms. Trees offer medicines and tools, accumulate carbon, and prevent soil erosion in addition to giving existence to the wildlife throughout this planet.
Today the significance of trees continues to increase and more research is on to discover newer benefits of trees especially for mankind. Let us encourage plantations for the greater good of our planet. Of course, a reliable arborist is all you need if you want to take care of your tree’s health.