Livistona australis

[philinsydney]

in Royal National Park, just south of Sydney.

[Jonathan]

They look pretty rough Phil, do you reckon they're survivors of a cleared littoral rainforest?

 

[philinsydney]

It could be. It's puzzling because there is littoral rainforest nearby but here it has always been a lomandra groundcover in my time.

I'm sure it's salty winds causing the burn. When they are sheltered by other plants they are fine, but as soon as they reach a certain height they become exposed and the burn is noticeable.

[happypalms]

Nice one there a tough palm! 

[palmtreesforpleasure]

They are survivors of littoral forest which used to grow down to the waters edge in protected areas

Old drawings from the ealier 1800's exist showing it.

Landcare has planted out 300 from Wollongong to the shoalhaven in the last 5 months with at least another 200 to go. Their plan is to plant them close to the ones that are in paddocks that were cleared in the 1800's.  As they are aging out due to many being around 400 years old  

The reason they did not get chopped down back then was because they blunted the saws so much had to sharpen them every time they brought one down vs up to 40 trees without need of sharpening.

When landcare plant them they fence around the young ones to stop animals eating them

 

[Jonathan]

7 hours ago, palmtreesforpleasure said:

They are survivors of littoral forest which used to grow down to the waters edge in protected areas

Old drawings from the ealier 1800's exist showing it.

Landcare has planted out 300 from Wollongong to the shoalhaven in the last 5 months with at least another 200 to go. Their plan is to plant them close to the ones that are in paddocks that were cleared in the 1800's.  As they are aging out due to many being around 400 years old  

The reason they did not get chopped down back then was because they blunted the saws so much had to sharpen them every time they brought one down vs up to 40 trees without need of sharpening.

When landcare plant them they fence around the young ones to stop animals eating them

 

Very interesting Colin, particularly the hardness of the wood...a lucky survival mechanism for the palms. I've found that young Livistona's dont get eaten much by wallabies, down here at least, but get absolutely smashed by rabbits. 

[philinsydney]

Fantastic work, Colin. Do you have to get the cooperation of private landholders, or is it taking place on public land?

[Tyrone]

9 hours ago, palmtreesforpleasure said:

They are survivors of littoral forest which used to grow down to the waters edge in protected areas

Old drawings from the ealier 1800's exist showing it.

Landcare has planted out 300 from Wollongong to the shoalhaven in the last 5 months with at least another 200 to go. Their plan is to plant them close to the ones that are in paddocks that were cleared in the 1800's.  As they are aging out due to many being around 400 years old  

The reason they did not get chopped down back then was because they blunted the saws so much had to sharpen them every time they brought one down vs up to 40 trees without need of sharpening.

When landcare plant them they fence around the young ones to stop animals eating them

 

Great info and that makes perfect sense. What they did back in those days is just so sad. But then it still goes on now. I’m glad they are looking a rehabilitating certain areas.

[palmtreesforpleasure]

The issue is the trunk is like compressed grass which blunts the saws. If you have tried to chop one down you will know it takes an effort. 

My local tree loppers use old chain saw blades, sharpen them after use.

Landcare asked me if i could find some for them, it took me a little while,  500 found for them.

There are some more out there

Regards

Colin