And some more post-storm damage.  This time a tree torn off in Scarborough near Redcliffe.

If you are in Brisbane and you haven’t already contacted an arborist to check your trees, you are putting your whole family at risk.  I’ve seen trees which were weakened before the storm, the storm now makes them timebombs.

Despite new laws for greenhouse emissions, Queensland’s land clearing is easily the nation’s worst and growing at a rate of 7% each year.

The figs apparently date back to the 1889 when a creek, known as Wheat Creek flowed around them into the Brisbane River.

They are now listed by the National Trust of Queensland and the Australian Heritage Commission and are one of Brisbane’s greatest aboricultural landmarks.

The Flame Tree is native to sub-tropical South East Queensland

Unlike the southern states, South East Queensland’s sub-tropical climate ensures that we never really have a true autumn season.

While we don’t get to behold the spectacular sight of falling red and brown leaves (or fortunately the problems of cleaning them out of gutters and drains), it is still possible to decorate your garden with deciduous trees, but management of them is key.

Beyond aesthetics though, the midday winters in South East Queensland are simply not cold enough for the key benefit of deciduous trees – to let sunlight through.

However the native Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra flame tree or Kurrajong) is probably the most popular choice and a rare native deciduous that grows in SEQ.  This tree turns a vibrant red before losing its leaves and makes a great ornamental with its pod like fruits.  However given that the tree grows quite tall, it can be a nuisance in Brisbane.

In terms of non-native or European deciduous trees that will grow in Brisbane, trying to growing Maples or London Planes simply isn’t worth the effort although these trees will grow well in nearby Toowoomba and the high country.  Probably the best bet is the Liquidambar styraciflua (Liquid Amber), which goes a vibrant red in late Autumn in Brisbane and has distinctive starry five point leaves which distinguish them from maple leaves.  It is native to North America, but grows reasonably well in Brisbane and it doesn’t cause too many problems where its growth is stunted in comparison to growing it in cooler climates.  In terms of managing them, the best time to prune them is late in the leafless cycle, just before they are about to get new leaves.

So if you are wondering why your deciduous trees have problems growing in Brisbane or South East Queensland, then the answer is simply climate.

Among the highlights are the Cuban royal palms outside City Hall, the Burdekin Plum Trees, Crows Ash and Lacebark Trees on Albert Street, the Umbrella Tress and White Figs on Turbot Street, the Foxtail Palms of the Mincom building, the Bottle Trees at Anzac Square, the Orchid Trees outside Indus House, the White Figs and Banyan Tree at the Fig Tree Reserve on Elizabeth and Creek Streets, the Tulipwoods on Mary Street, the Bunya Pine, Blue Gumsat, Weeping Figs, Bodhi Tree and Cuban Royal Pams the Botanic Gardens.

Brisbane CBD Street Trees Interactive Map

New Farm Park Jacarandas

A recent article in the Courier Mail explains that the dying trees in New Farm Park, a local Brisbane landmark are simply old.

Jacaranda plants, native of Brazil, grow well in Brisbane and produce a stunning purple floral display.  The ones in New Farm are very mature as they were planted as early as 1914.

They’ve begun to fall and many have had to be removed.  Fortunately council has a replacement program in place.

Cocos palms and their fruits

In the 1980s, the Cocos (Syagrus romanzoffiana) or Queen Palm, originally introduced from Brazil, was arguably Queensland’s most fashionable palm.

Being cheap and quick growing, they literally sprang up everywhere, from backyards to resorts, carparks, office plazas, schools and street trees.

Now, one of our biggest growth services is Cocos palm removal in Brisbane.  You see, because it has recently been declared a weed of national significance.   The fruits attract flying foxes which helps the seeds to spread and become an invasive pest.  It is actually banned in some areas and you can be fined for having them.  Not to mention that their fronds frequently shed and are a nuisance to keep clean and looking good.

They are actually hardy plants and due to their height and rock hard trunk, removal is quite tricky and best done by experts.

So far the effects have been restricted to fig trees and hoop pines.