The Lismore City Council this evening will decide whether to support a push to have the Illawarra Flame Tree named as the city’s signature tree, and whether to host an annual festival in its name.
The idea has been proposed by the ABC’s gardening guru Phil Dudman, who believes the idea would enhance the visual appeal of Lismore and attract more visitors to the area.
Mr Dudman believes a Lismore Flame Tree Festival, held in October, could have the streets ablaze with red, the colour of the flame tree, and could hold the same appeal as festivals such as Grafton’s Jacaranda Festival, and cherry blossom festivals in Japan.
Greens Cr Vanessa Ekins has lodged a notice of motion calling on her fellow councillors to support the notion of a signature tree, or trees.
She wants the council to begin consultation with rural and urban community panels and key stakeholders such as Bundjalung Elders Council, Ngulingah Land Council, Rainforest Botanic Gardens, Landcare, Garden Club, Chamber of Commerce.
She wants to identify criteria for signature trees such as endemic native species, shade, maintenance, amenity, history, associated events; Identify appropriate locations for plantings in main streets and at city and village entrances; Refer to the Street Tree Masterplan as a guide; and report back to council within six months with concepts for wider consultation.
Cr Ekins said Mr Dudman’s proposal was timely as the council was currently conducting consultation on placemaking and the new Community Strategic Plan.
‘Planting and promoting signature tree/s is an idea we can progress now and links strongly to Lismore’s name which means ‘Great Garden’,’ she said.
‘Council already has an adopted street tree masterplan with an extensive species list and recommended planting locations.
‘Council also has a generous S94 street tree budget and established community panels we can consult with. This is a project that will have little upfront cost but will take time to progress so let’s get started.’
The problems with the Illawarra Flame Tree as a street tree, or a specimen tree is growing on their own they can struggle and just sit there for years looking quite sad and nondescript. The brilliant displays of flowers associated with this tree can be erratic, some trees will not flower for years and then at other times blossom will display on only a portion of the tree. They drop foliage in an erratic manner; once again looking rather unattractive. The best way to grow this iconic tree, is in a group with other species of rain forest trees; the Flame Tree seems to enjoy the companionship of the other trees.
There are problems associated with growing the Illawarra Flame Tree as a street or as a specimen. Planted as a solitary tree they can to sit for years, not growing just looking sad. The glorious displays of flowers can be very erratic; some trees do not flower for years and some trees displays can cover only a portion of the tree. Flame Trees also shed their leaves and can be leafless for brief periods. I believe the best method of cultivating this iconic Australian tree is in a group with other rain forest species where this tree seems more comfortable.
What a load of rubbish! Council can barely keep up with maintaining roads etc and you have these tree huggers conducting the great train robbery under our noses. Make no mistake. These proposals entail someone being paid lots of money to sustain their lifestyle in the bush. Wouldn’t be a mate of Dudman or Ekins would it? How about putting some money into the homeless sleeping in your parks and under your bridges?
I can’t imagine the amount of research funds it would take to discover a “signature” tree. Give me a break!
Lismore already has a signature tree- The Camphor laurel ,these trees were bred and distributed Australia wide by the department of agriculture at wollongbah.
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I think this would be great! Wouldn’t it be great to see the section of Ballina Road between Rous Road and the Cutting, lined in Flame trees? Even though their flowering pattern is a bit “hit-and-miss” the region seems to have great success with them. Just a thought. 🙂