The very persistent native

It seems we have one very determined tree. No matter what befalls it, the thing somehow manages to survive.
Let’s set the scene

Not long after buying this property in the early 80s, we set about getting rid of unwanted, non-productive fruit and nut trees. A replanting spree followed. At the time, the big thing was to plant native gardens.

I studied the Woods and Forests’ catalogue diligently to select trees and shrubs that suited our immediate climate - well mostly. DH had this “thing” about Tasmaniam Bluegums (TBG) “Eucalyptus globulus” – errrr, they have rapid growth and can reach 50m! “Luckily” for us, there was a smaller version of the tree, “Eucalyptus globulus ‘compacta’”, a baby of up to 10m tall. We chose a couple of bottlebrushes – what Aussie garden is complete without one – and a Red Capped Gum (RCG) “Eucalyptus erythrocorys”, not what you’d call a lovely structured tree, but it produces large red capped gum nuts, followed by even larger yellow blossoms which are keenly sought after by the local colourful parrots.


It’s floral beauty has not prevented it earning the wrath of DH. We also chose a Cootamundra Wattle (CW) “Acacia baileyana”, a tree with lovely blueish fern like foliage and masses of fluffy little yellow “balls” in winter, Coastal Rosemary “Westringia” and others whose names escape me.

We then made many pilgrimages to the W&F Belair Nursery. Small tube seedlings were bought – it is the most economical way of buying natives, around $1 each at the time – bargain! Planting and careful tending ensued.

The TBG was planted near the back fence, right in the middle. We thought if it ever fell over, it should just spare the house. The red-capped gum went in a little closer to the house and more to one side of the yard and a bottle brush next to that. The CW was planted nearer the house, but by the side fence.

In June 1983, Mum gave us a Lilly Pilly (LP) “Acmena smithii” which she had mistakenly bought for her garden, but couldn’t use as it required too high a rainfall. That was planted sort of behind and to one side of the RCG, about in line with the TBG.

In 1985 we bought a grafted macadamia nut tree from Perry’s Fruit and Nut Nursery for the exorbitant price of $22. It was planted “next” to the bottlebrush.

So we had a backyard with many natives, along with orange, apricot and nectarine trees.

The days of backyard burning were still with us at that stage and we regularly disposed of burnable rubbish in our incinerator which stood next to the TBG. This tree only suffered mildly from the rampant flames.

Now to our stubborn tree

The tree in question is of course, the RCG. In it’s early days, it seemed to be plagued with borers, an onslaught that kept on for many years. It survived.

DH was a bit of a pyromaniac and tended to burn refuse that would not fit in the incinerator, under my beloved RCG. The poor thing got quite singed after one particular episode. It survived.

The TBG did grow quickly and around 5 years after we planted it, we decided it was rapidly becoming dangerously tall, so DH took on the lumberjack mantle. The lower branches were removed and cut up, then the main trunk with the top branches attached was axed. You guessed it, it fell on one side of the RCG, breaking off all the branches on that side. It survived.

After the TBG stump was removed (DH again), I decided that the LP needed to be moved, so a 5’ high tree and surrounding soil was dug out my me, dragged about 20 feet and shoved in the TBG stump hole. We have since had a shed built where the LP used to be.

Fast-forward to January 2004 and it was time to get out backyard landscaped. It had endured many years of neglect and building alterations. Unfortunately, there were plants that didn’t fit into our new plan. So of the trees that had survived, the CW and RCG had to go, much to DH’s relief. They were cut down and the stumps removed.

About mid 2005, I noticed some very familiar leaves appearing above the ground where the RCG used to be. You guessed it, it was growing back!

Roll on summer and DH decided that there were too many weeds to pull/dig out, so he sprayed them, along with my RCG. The poor thing withered up and died. I really thought that would be the end of this poor tree's struggle of survival, how wrong was I!

I was out doing a little weeding today, when I once again saw some very familiar furry leaves rising up between the dead twigs of it’s last resurrection. It’s baaaaack!!!!!!


I think this tree really has it in for DH.

It seems my beloved Red Capped Gum has suffered a similar fate to me (although not in the same order); it’s been diagnosed with cancer, undergone radiotherapy, radical surgery (twice) and chemotherapy, and it still manages to thrive. Is it trying to tell us something?