Tree of the month
Queensland's own Buckinghamia celsissima.
Sometimes I dream how useful it could be if someone could develop a small tree along the lines of a scaled down Jacaranda or Poinciana ideal for our small gardens. In the meantime we do have a very attractive and amenable tree that can be tailored for many situations, Queensland’s own Buckinghamia celsissima.
The Buckinghamia is a rainforest tree from North east Queensland. The cream flowers, out in December in Brisbane, cover the tree like a cloak for a month unless spoiled by rain. January has turned on some spectacular displays right across Brisbane. Perhaps less colourful, it is no less showy than many other trees. Moreover, the Buckinghamia or ‘ Ivory Curl flower’ has many other superior attributes.
It is a tree that can do well in tough conditions with evergreen leaves on branches that can maintain their growth to the ground if required, so great for privacy or a large hedge. In full sun the leaves tend to be a lighter green. It is also commonly used as a street tree where it is grown bare trunked with a tidy crown that can also be pruned to required height without looking butchered as can many other trees that suffer the fate of ill-considered lopping.
If conditions are ideal it may grow to its full potential of 20metres or more. The tree has no pests and the leaf drop is not too much of a nuisance. The seeds are contained in a hard round shell the size of a ten cent piece. When fresh they propagate readily.
The name is interesting for its English-Australian historical reference. The website for the Australian Society for Native Plants says the name comes from Richard Grenville ,Duke of Buckingham. (Both the 2nd and 3rd Dukes of Buckingham and Chandos were Richard. But the 3rd Duke was Secretary of State for the Colonies from 1867 which would place him at the right time.)
I cannot find elsewhere whether there was more than this position itself for him to be so remembered by naming a species after him.
The celsissima is from the Latin Celsus , high or lofty, which is its growth habit in the wild.
A good sample of the tree is in front of the library in Sydney St and are worth walking past right now.
Horticulture
Convenor and Editor - Mary Jo Katter
This month will feature one of my favourite topics - Jacaranda at this time of the year and especially in NFP. It has a become one of the highlights of our year's programme. Just yesterday, we have our first sighting of the 2009 bloom, and yet other sections of the Park's gems are still in the very early and middle stages of the new season's growth.
The Jacaranda is the biggest “show off”. Bright purple flowers delight not just the poets and painters! Fall in love with the Jacaranda when they are in full flower by all means, but I love the colour of the trees now. With the dry weather this year the yellow leaves highlight otherwise drab areas. The fine leaves cling on till just before the flowers. Although the tree may be deciduous it is only for a brief time. A true test of a great tree is not just how it looks in flower but also is it worthwhile in the garden for the other eleven months.
Tree species can go through phases in popularity. What may be right for one State may be a disaster in another. The Chinese Elm, Celtis sinensis is not a problem in dry areas but here in Queensland it is a pest. The Camphor Laurel were popular once until they escaped, not just into neighbouring gardens but into whole districts. Both these trees may never be sold here as everyone knows they are a problem The Jacaranda does not have the same reputation but beware, it can be a giant in its mature state; far too large for most suburban gardens. It is very sad to see trees butchered by necessary pruning to prevent branches damaging houses. It is also costly to remove a tree planted in the wrong spot when a tall shrub may have been more appropriate.
The seeds of the Jacaranda are easily propagated and you may find it coming up in the garden occasionally. It is still easy to buy in large landscaping sizes. Ultimate size is only one of the considerations. Leaf and flower drop are other factors especially with the Jacaranda. Fine leaves near pools or soggy flowers over paths or driveways are a nuisance.
Promise yourself a walk in the Park when the Jacarandas are blooming but stop for a moment now and see their special Spring colour too.
