NOTICE: Hard copies of the Australian New Crops Newsletter are available from the publisher, Dr Rob Fletcher. Details of availability are included in the
Advice on Publications Available.8. Australian Bush Products
An ornamental tree with potential as a street tree, and for harvesting flowers and fruit for the cut flower/botanical trade. It is a straight tree, and best suited to the arid and semi-arid environments with rainfall of 250-450mm. Flowers are normally produced in about the second year, and could be harvested after three years. Trees need little attention once established, but do well on drip irrigation. We have marketed the bud commercially as a craft botanical, and in a pot pourri mix, which has been accepted well in both local and export trade.
Eucalyptus saligna
A tree grown and.proving itself in the forestry field. Wood that is milled and seasoned can fetch $500 per cubic metre, and from $8-30 per cubic metre for wood chips. Ideal timber for poles and posts, and is also an excellent wood turning and wood burning tree. An excellent all round fast growing timber construction tree, with a solitary trunk. It prefers the cooler, damper areas, preferring good fertile soils, loams and alluviums and tolerates deep sand. It has the added benefit of producing honey.
Eucalyptus forrestiana (both sub species)
This is a very attractive tree when in full bloom and bud. Flowers and botanicals have been sold for crafts and floristry. The tree tolerates poor soils and does well in areas of low rainfall and high alkalinity. Trees need full sun, but are prone to fungal attack (Black scale). Buds are highly prized in the craft trade and can fetch $20/kg.
Banksia species
While many Banksia species offer an opportunity for the cut flower market, their timber is ideal for wood turning and construction.of fine wood products. The cones are also highly prized in the US where ornaments are made from the cones. This genus is often overlooked for benefits such as its attractiveness to birds. The flowers are well recognised as cut flower crops.
Australian Bush Products
PO Box 131
Strathalbyn, South Australia 5255
Telephone/Facsimile: 08 8534 4124
Any claims made by authors in the Australian New Crops Newsletter are presented by the Editors in good faith. Readers would be wise to critically examine the circumstances associated with any claims to determine the applicability of such claims to their specific set of circumstances. This material can be reproduced, with the provision that the source and the author (or editors, if applicable) are acknowledged and the use is for information or educational purposes. Contact with the original author is probably wise since the material may require updating or amendment if used in other publications. Material sourced from the Australian New Crops Newsletter cannot be used out of context or for commercial purposes not related to its original purpose in the newsletter
Contact: Dr Rob Fletcher, School of Land and Food, The University of Queensland Gatton College, 4345; Telephone: 07 5460 1311 or 07 5460 1301; Facsimile: 07 5460 1112; International facsimile: 61 7 5460 1112; Email:
r.fletcher@mailbox.uq.edu.au[
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GK; latest update 6 June 1999 by: RF