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Each month we showcase an iconic or loved tree in Holdfast Bay. The tree of the month aims to increase the awareness of the value of trees in the City of Holdfast Bay, highlighting the important role trees play in our city such as shade, cooling, clean air, fauna habitat, wellbeing and connection to nature.
December - Tree of the Month
Species: Allocasuarina verticillata (drooping sheoak)
Family: Casuarinaceae
Origin: SA
Flowering time: Autumn, winter
Flower colour: Male – Brown spikes, Female – Red clusters
Purpose: Ornamental, screen, habitat
Canopy cover (approximate shade provided): 2 metres
Approximate age: 18 years old
Estimated amenity value: Unknown
The seeds of this species have been found to be a food source for the Yellow-tailed black-cockatoo. Growing these plants in small stands between open space will help encourage the return of this endangered native bird.
This species would have been naturally occurring across the hind dunes of City of Holdfast Bay before colonisation, when the dunes were much wider than they currently are.
The Friends of Minda Dunes volunteers helped adorn the tree with its Tree of the Month medallion for December.
The group meets weekly to care for the Minda Dunes site, which spans three hectares and involves weeding and watering around 10,000 plants reintroduced tro the site as part of the Coast Path development.
With care and maintenance, after 20 years, this tree could potentially:
- offset 4102 kilometres worth of CO2 emitted from the average petrol-powered passenger vehicles
- absorb enough stormwater to fill 852 bathtubs
- remove an amount of pollution from the air – in gaseous and particulate form – equivalent in weight to 68 smartphones
Tree of the Month Nomination Form
Is there a tree that you love or that you think deserves recognition in the City of Holdfast Bay? Take the time to nominate it by completing the form below.
