July 23rd, 2023Glen, about the house…
Gardening was far from the minds of the early European settlers of this wide brown land. Survival would most likely be the word as they broke their backs clearing and working their plots for sustenance.
When it came to actually planting a garden, they chose anything that would remind them of home.
Even when civilisation came to town, street trees and garden beds were planted with familiar trees and shrubs, native shrubs were considered scrappy and colourless. Oaks, elms, plane trees and the odd flowering prunus flourished.
It wasn’t until the late 1950s that indigenous trees and shrubs really began to take hold. Thankfully these days, almost all civic plantings are of native origin. So it was with any public celebration of trees in Australia.
The first Australian Arbor Day was held in Adelaide on June 22, 1889 when literally hundreds of trees were planted throughout the surrounding parklands.
In my case I took part in the ceremony of tree planting. My father used to donate a batch of trees (never native) to my school – usually flowering prunus, crab apple or cherries.
He never took up the offer of also providing the accompanying words – the role was given to me. I shouldn’t complain – it was probably the key to my career in radio talkback.
School Arbor Days have suffered spasmodic doldrums since then so it’s great to acknowledge the wonderful coming on Sunday, July 30 of National Tree Day 2023 – preceded by Schools Tree Day on Friday, July 28.
In the image is my Victorian-born wife, Peta, centre behind the flag. She rummaged through her photographic library and found this relic of her school’s 1961 planting ceremony.
Pruning time for roses
Prune your roses and deciduous trees now. Keep in mind the ultimate size and desired shape of the subject and make each cut sharp and clean, near to a plump growth bud pointed in the direction the branch should grow, toward open space. Avoid selecting buds that will form crossed branches.
When you have finished pruning and cleaning away the cuttings, treat all the ends and wounds with tree pruning paint or something similar to prevent any infection.
Got a gardening query? Email glenzgarden@gmail.com
