STUDY GROUP GROUP LEADER DAVID Jenkilisob 18 SKEPES AVE EASTWOOD 2122 N.S.V

nasocImIon OF SOCIETIES FOR GRO1,?ING AUSTRALIAR PLANTS RAINFOREST STUDY GROUP GROUP LEADER DAVID JENKIliSOB 18 SKEPES AVE EASTWOOD 2122 n.s.v. II3WSLETTER NO. 8. ( ISSn 0729+5413') APRIL 1990

GROUP I;EADER1S REPORT I %as disappointed that many February newsletters r.,erP returned as "left address1' but have managed to track domn some of them. In addition, quite a few people ~hohave wanted to join over the last couple of years would have received their first newsletter. A great thrill. was finding so much Information in the pile of unopened letters passed to me. This has confirmed my Long held belief that a lot of knowledge is available, and should he disseminated as widely as poasible to increase general awareness of nuch vi';al elements of the hioophere as are rainforests. I make no apology %hat during my leadership of the group, much emphasis will be placed on e?zvironmental issues. So called "sustainable develogment" is a fraud. Oar lifestyles and interests should not be detrimental to the continuing survival of each species now exinting. \'le must all become very much involved in reducing the destructive effects of our current exploitive, short sighted socio/economic/political system. FoLlowinq upan that little homily, this issue is a bumper one tapping into much of the built up enthusiasm of the members. Please keep your contri-l'tlutiona corning for as I said in the last newsletter, let us become the best ancl most informed study group lrithin SGAP, 3y the vrap, this is the June neq.?sletter early, to catch up on so much utd to make up for dast inactivity, The next issue should be out in Augst. SUBSCRIPTIONS AND FINANCES

Would members who have not paid a subscription in t!?e last couple of years, kindly fonvard your $3 to help us through this year. If pay ing by cheque, mnks out to "Rainforest Study Group", additional donat- ions will be most welcome as it appezrs we may be flaz broke. SPECIAL flm - THIS VILL BE THE LAST ITETSLETTSR TO T!!CSE ':iHO ARi2 U!IPI?JABCIAL. Each issue costs *ell over a dollar to send out. I put a lot of work into proauctnp these, so if you ap~reciatethe information contained 'show it by rejoining the group. A financial summary will be included in the next ne:.rsletter as it should be confined by then whether an anticipated previous balance is available or not. r.:el^a:'thile, I av personally meeting many of the estab- liahment expenses and expect reimbwsement when vre cpt on our feet. AEYf !mMBERS A warm welcome to the following, who have joined the group over the past 2 years. Jim 8 lsrian Bailey - Me Cove Trevor Jupp - Kntnra South Delltrees ITwsery - DuraL Garrg Lailinton - hdaberg Jo Benyan - Milton Tony Idorris - Dulwich !iill Rex Durgesa - Wble C. !dcFhersot, - Gymea 3ay Thomas Car1,sson - Sweden Sue 2uinnell - Yucar Rod Cook - $inston Ifills Vera Robb - Thornside Peter Cousens - Redfern SGAP Blue 7dountains Gre~Doran - Cooks 9111 SGAP South Australia Lisl Grassman - njdw J. Stewart - Hampton ldichael Hansford - Balwyn Trevor S:.mons - Airoort ':lest JJ. Jimmieson - hk Ersvatt David Vance - Redland Bay Ken Jones - Beacon Hill MEMBERSHIP LIST I propose to list names and addresses of current rnemSers as confirmed by recent (within 2 years) payment of a subscription. As has been past practice, those ~ho$0 not ,::ith their address to be published should advise me immediately. MISSING MFMBERS 1f you happen to know any of these people, whose newsletters have been returned, could you ask them to tell me their new address so tkat ne can maintain contact. Member Last addresg drmher_ hst address Robert A ttwoa8 t-eichhardt :Jlctor llosnar Feakhurnt Pat RUCPSS Farestville Graham iIos?torthy Chelmer 9. & 3. Durnhm East Ifills C-my 0 '3rien 3enaraby Robert Jones !vest Pymble Znid Turton Carlingf ord Marton Kareng Rossbank rlnn b!or~n Sarina llorrn JlcCarthy ?loovoomba Dave Jones Lismore Idoran of Sarina mote in 1986 to say that she has a amall. home nursery and was kyiaq to get the locals interested in rainforests. An initial planting of acre with about 100 trees still looked bare. There is a,lot of Angl~odendrontrifoliatum locally and Emji~llallational Park has the endemic t,lackap rullp 9a.K (A. aatizcphyl3um). (Ed. - I hope to describe hgella soon as it is a very interesting zrea.: * X X * %om Robert Payme of Gosfoxd rho offered ages ago to organiac an outinq ta look at hskania Park rainfores- near Tycnq. If he is still prepared to do so, who r~louldbe interested? Pleaae advise the leader and I will approach Robert. IIe and Gwen Harden recorded specles there and found mite Beech,rare in the district, and a patch of hcronychla milcoxiana. Ile looked at many of t?!e gully rainforests of the central coast when doing a degree couxse and found the firnt local Cryptocaria rigida and more hcronychia .ailcoxiana that had not been seen aime 191SI Also a gi&qf Toona and a Ficus obLfqua that he estimated to be 20 metres a~oundWe base? t * * * * Jan Sked at hmton mentioned that the rainforest walk of over 1000 plants in the 1Tort;h Pine Country ?ark at Petrie is coming along well. Cthers have been so.impressed :?ith the result: that they are establishing similar plantjngs. She was also involved in the landscapinc of the 1988 5xpo site. r 'I. X * * Peter Jonas from Rockhampton planted out over 150 seedlings in 1986, on a local church property of about 8 acres bordering a creek where gallery forest survives. It includes Syzigiwn spp, ilelia azedarach, Zrythrina, !Jacarulga, ITauclea orientalis, Ficus racemosa etc . * * + * 4t Ilew member, Jo Benyon was given a lot of rainforest plants that had been used for indoor decoration. Scre 5~3Deen heavily pruncd and virtually had no main trunks. All were root bound. They were planted out ancl the heavy rains early last year did the world of good. ?+ * X +P X Leonie Morgan of the ?delbourne suburb of Montmorency is mowing a cool temperate garden and would like to learn more about growing tropical species as indoor plants. * * 9 d * From Yowie Bay south of Sydney, Dean Pryke has appreciated the 12" of rain that Cyclone nancy dumped on his garden md the fcllm up falls that aaved the remainder of his plantation. Coachizzood, Callicoma and 3upomatia are doing well, and he confirms that ELaeodendran australe is a fairly slow grower that has '3arely reached a metre from seed germinated a fern yezrs ago.

mere are now tbee in our group - 119elltrees1Tof Wal hi Sydney (props.Darren and Cavid ?.Iansfield), Lacebark Rainforest nursery of Coramba near Coffs !!arbour (props. John and ;7endy Ross) and Terania RaMorest ?Iursery, The mannon near Lismare (props. iTu~hand lhn Nicholson). All have very extensive plant lista $hat contain sclne unusual and interesting snecies. Joivl Ross has recently been collecting seed in llorth Qld. The Iansfields will be shortly introducing TForth qld proteaceae specles of Athertonia, Placospermum, Opisthiolepsis, Oreocalis etc. A group of studenta i3 establishing a rainforsat mborehtm on their land. !.raybe we can publish oeesa reports of the success and expansion of this project.b sepyate r5port irm t!~eitiel~olsons. *f? hare been asked to submit items to help us wit3 progagatlng and gowfng dLfficu2t rainforest plants. Advice end su~gestionsfor suitable species in problem axsae could be aapreciated. TROPICAL RAIITFOX3 DESTRUCTION-BUSIIESS REPORT 5/2/90 A West Aust, company, Asrnua-?:clean, registered in !I~KRong (snmemlwt of a contradiction) znnomced that it has ohtained the xirfhts to fiO0,OCO ha, 6000 sn IrJn, of trb~icalraj.nforest in Irian Jaya. It is loe~te6 on the t~larabermo River. The company is e3tr;rhmely !lappg ~'tiththe deal - for a?l initial outlay of lsss Shan 28 million they have access to =o and a half billion dollars worth of tinber. Prsdidably, Indon- esian and ilustralian envlromenfal groups completely opposed to further des tructian of the fast dimin- ishing tropical rainforests. They are lvorried that; Indonesia and its colonies mill go the same way as the Amazon basin. CoincidentaLly, one of the eornpany directors is the daughter of the covernor of Lrim Jaya. !Chi$ arrmge- Dent has bean made at the same time as the controverng over the corruption, destruction, and virtual ~i-2- ing away of timber resoureee in neighbowing Iilsvr Guinea. Ba tfr countries are allov~inlng foreignere to destroy their resources and rean quick benefits at long term cost. to thab environment. n.e indigenous population and local Landomsrs generally obtain little or no benefit from loqging. A simple calculation ralues the hsmus IlcLean riqhts at 13.3 c. per ha, or as it: used to be, sixpence an acre. Past Australia ~overnmentssornetlmes diaposed of trscts of cronbmland for tl?is pittance. Iiow little do things chW%!

(Hugh and llan !Ticholson sent a news packed letter pith their best wishes for a regular, successful forum to share information and to seek help from others. So rnuci~ of interest that 117e really gone into overdraft and decided to print an extra Mo pages). ?he* update of the regeneration project in Cmrie Fark at Lisnore will be Lnnluded with a description of this work later but; their cmrnenta on the use of herbicide eenerally must be give5 very careful consider- rrtian. llIi~ever,despite the success of these processes, I mould %till be vary of assuming the use of ierbicides is the nefi 'way to go I. =ere could :yell be evidence come to Light in the nqxt few years indicating environmental dc:.,gers from its use, as happened nith DD'C and thalidomide, Certainly we should err on the aide of caution.'' Iditor's ITote - I fully agree. Experience gained frov ten years involvement with the Bradley method of 'x~shregeneration has proven time and again that herbicides must be used very crsefully, as unfortunately 3verreliance has so often been detrimental to immediate and/or long term objectives.

-1 superb contribution on geminating seeds is of interest to us all, and it is ~itha very sincere thank both for sharing your knowledge with us, that it is reprinted in full. RAINFOREST CREATION OR REGEIJERATION 3 CSIRO research suggests that there are four stages in the natural development of new, or expanding rainforests . Stage 1. Annuals, herbs and softwood shrubs that initially colonise bare sites during the firat couple of years. Stage 2. Secondary species, hardy plants usually small or medium sized that establish within 2-15 years. Stage 3. Plants of'Stage 2 prepare the ground and give sufficient protection for. more short lived tree species that appear within 15-50 years. Stage 4. Between 50 and 300 years the slovrer growing and longer lasting larger trees that tolerate shade and need conditions particularly protected to establish and eventually dominate the forest Obviously people either regenerating degraded rainforest or starting from scratch would not lose time on Stage 1, but commence with Stage 2 plants. Exotics such as Wild tobacco, Cassia and Tamarillo have been used as shelter plants, but are best avoided. There are enough weeds becoming established through their own methods without needing help from man to exoand their numbers. Preparing a site prior to planting is extremely important. Established strong exotics such as grasses, blackberry, groundsel, lantana, camphor laurels, privet etc. must be removed or prevented from competing with the plantings. methods can be used to remove weeds, but herbicides are often favoured. loody plants can be drilled at the base and poison carefully injected, or they can be cut down and the stumps scraped and painted, with care. Blackberry is a big problem, and whatever approach is used, repeated follow up is required. Grasses like kikuyu are probably the easiest of all to treat, "Round Up" or similar products sprayed on windless days is quick and effective. Be wary of using any chemical that leaves residues in the soil, you could have big problems later on. Don't remove any dead material, it acts as mulch and will break down slowly to supply nutrient to the growing plants. If there are livestock in the vicinity, or resident native animals, fencing will be required to keep them out. Protection ma also be needed to deter careless people, or vandals, but in this case widespread use of some of our kbus and Citriobatue species makes a good deterrent. The following plants are either effective preliminary colonisers or particularly fast growing species:- Acacia melanoxylon Commersonia bartramia Glochidion ferdinandi Pittosporum spp Alphitonia excelsa II fraseri Grevillea robusta Polyscias spp II petriei Cordyline spp IIibiscus spp Rapania howittiane Backhousia mptif olia Duboisia spp IIymenosporum f lavium " variabilis Caldcluvia paniculoso Ervatamia angustisepala F;Iacaranga tanarius Solanum aviculare Callicoma serratifolia Euodia micrococca Melia azerdarach Tasmannia spp Omolanthus popufolius Trema aspera Zierra spp There are many others that can be used, but try to choose species that naturally grow in your area. Many of the climbers and vines can be used, particularly at the edges to create dense foliage reducing air penetration and helping to retain moisture and humidity. But they can also grow too robustly smothering young trees and shrubs, and may be more trouble than they are worth. At the time of planting,consideration should be given to using one of the proprietary water soaking products in the planting hole. mese materials are claimed to attract water up to 80 times their volume, to act as a storehouse to gradually release moisture in dry times. Additional surface mulch should be obtained to supply plant food as it breaks doS:rn, and maintain an even soil temperature. It also helps to retard germination of weeds. Seedlings and even larger plants will need to be watered in hot weather. Lengths of plastic ag. pipe can be used to channel water dom to the root areas. About 20-30 cm of 5- 8 cm dia. pipe is stood in the planting hole, flush with the soil surface and about 30 cm away from the plant's stem. kter is poured straight down the pipe to ensure that it reaches lower levels than does mere surface watering. match for caterpillars and beetle larvae that bore into the stem and can ringbark saplings. As this initial planting becomes established Stage 3 plants can be introduced. Many are frost sensitive when young, so care must be taken if you experience heavy frosts. A light canopy will protect them, and planting a tender species adjacent to an established "pioneer" should ensure its survival. This planting could include Dendrocnide, Toona australis, Jagera pseudorhus, Flindersia app, Sloanea spp, Cryptocaria spp, Syzigium app plus just about anything else that naturally occurs in your district. Finally, add the big trees or emergents, such as Araucaria biavillii and cunninghamii, Ficus spp, Cast- anospermum australe, Diploglottis australis, Anqyrodendron actinophyllum and. trifoliolatum, Eleaocarpus grandla. Anything else that you have not previously included can also be planted now, providing that they are reasonably shade tolerant. Bear in mind that many species are naturally propogated via birds. If you innlude as many bird attracting plants as possible in your initial planting, you should be aided by large mbers of self germinated seedlings appearing within the regenerating site. Further reading - Forestry Commission of N.S.W.-Rainforest llaintenance pjmphlet X32. Govt. Printer 1982 * N. $ H. Nicholson - Hainfozest Plants 2 - Nichxolson Terania RainforesJ Nursery - 1988 MARIA PESAVrnrTO HAS PROVIDED A HELPFUL SUMl1ARY IN ESTIIBLISIIING RAIITFOREST IrJ TIIE 'U'lhRLfER ZONES. t'This my method of growing: 1. Kill off grass and weeds if possible. 2. Cultivate with rotary hoe, ripper, plow or pick and shovel using normal anti-erosion design. 3. Mulch - Peanut shell is my favourite but sawdust with Urea; or hay are adequate. I sheet mulch with newepaper and topping to kill weeds and grass where necessary. 4 $. Maintain. I tend to plant in the rainy season and wean the trees from irrigation in 3 to 6 months. 1 fertilize with llNutricote"at planting time and am now experimenting with I1Organo 201". A cover crop of Acacias was planted in the first rainforest bed. The shade and root competition produced sl-ow, leggy and open rainforest trees. In the eecon8 and third beds, the majority of trees were planted in full sun (Syzygiwns; Grevillea bailyanna, ldllianna etc.) A small number of sun or tvlnd tender trees were given individual igloos made of fenking wire and shade cloth (Itaniltoa lenticellata, Austromuellera trinervia etc.) This system has produced ouick, bushy, healthy and floriferous trees. Happy Growhg!"

SETTING UP '1 RAINFOREST GARDEIJ IIJ A COLD CLIMATE FROM IAN KIRViAN OF B~LERAIJIITEAR MELBOUEWE. *'For several years I have been growing species from Australia's east coast adhave had a surprising amount of success gLven the original home areas of some of tl?e species and the contrast with my home property which is 13 acres of north west facing, upper hillslde in Zmerald, Victoria (altitude 330 metres). The climate at Emerald is characterised by a long cold wet winter (although my property is spared all but a few mild frosts), followed by a short very hot and dry summer. Although the winter provides a horrific shock to many of the northern species, 1 have found that the most effective killer is the hot dry period of about 13 months during rkich most yomg rainforest species, from wet summer areas, will give up unless additional domestic water is poured on. More mature species are very much more tolerant, although obviously not happy about it. Fortunately it is a lot easier to artificially assist with moisture levels than temperature levels especially for species that grow around places like Eungella in North Queensland which, due to its altitude, receives the occasional frost. I have not had much success at all with species that grow in north eastern Australia's coastal rainforests as these seem generally the most cold affected and prone to fungal attacks. The species that I am currently growing outdoors are listed below with an indication of their growth rate compared with the local trees, shrubs, etc.:- Trees Palms, Ferns, Shrubs etc . Banksia integrifolia var aquilonia slow Rhododendron lochae medium Brachychiton acerifolius medium-slow Cordyline stricta medium Castanospermum australe slow Doryanthes palmer1 slow Commersonia fraseri medium-fast Livistona australis slow Eucryphya moorei fast Macrozamia communis medium Macadamia ternifolia slow Asplenium australasicum medium Stenocarpus sinuatus medium-slow Cgathea cooperi fast Toona australis medium Cyathea leichhardtiana medium Tristania conferta fast Cyathea rebeccae slow Grevillea robusta medium-fast Drynaria ridgidula slow Platycerium bifurcatum fast Platycerium hill11 slow Platvcerium superbum medium Nephrolepis cordifolia fast

GROWING FROM CUTTINGS - EXPERIMENTATION BY ANN MORAN OF SARINA. The following - mainly tip cuttings - have been grown: Leea indica Austromyrtus dulcis lackinlaya rnacrosciadia Melastoma polyanthum i easy Backhousia citriodora Pittosporum revolutum Omalanthus populifolius ) Callicoma serratifolia Pleiogynium timoriense Ficus racemosa (hardwood pieces ) Capparis sp Schefflera actinophylla Owenea acidula (slow) Commersonia bartramla Sinoga lysicephala Alphitonla excelsa DUoxylum Terminalia sericocarpa Alstonia scholaris Macaranga tanarius Tetrastigma niten Alyxia ruscifolia These failed for me. Does this mean that they are either difficult or impossible from cuttings? Acmena smith11 Eugenia luehmannii Planchonia careya Albizia toona (Mackay cedar) Euroschinus falcata Polyscias elegans Aleurites moluccana Hymenosporum flavum Sophora tomentosa Buckinghamia Melia azedarach Timonius timon Erythrina vespertilio Pithecellobium pruincsa Xanthostemon chrystanfhus In the climate here with the humidity I don't have to do anything like putfhm under glass or in plastic bags but now winter is with us I will wait till summer again. I have a greenhouse made simply from polypipe with a soaker hose across the middle. I have plans here as we are thinking of patenting it. Shadecloth is only 285 as we had a lot of Eucalypts around it for shelter. Potting 131x I use is filterpress (a ceby-product which has been aged) - 3 filterpress and 4 coarse creek sand. Nutricote seems to be the best slow release fertiliser for Northern Queensland." SEED CO~CTIO~~THOUGHTS. Ann Moran suggests that seeds should preferably be obtained from the wild rather than a garden situation, to get a better variation in genetic material. Jan Sked confirms that much rainforest seed loses viability very quickly. The Qld. seed bank curator maintains a register of members interested in growing rainforest species and posts seed out immediately he receives a batch. T,Iany people aho live in areas mhich once supported rainforest are now interested in reforesting at least part of their land with rainforest species. Cne o? their difficulties may lie in obtaining large quant- ities of seedlings where local nurseries cannot provide tt?e ri~htspecies or the land-emer can't afford to buy them. One solution is to grow your om trees from local seed sources. The enormous diversity of rainforest species is matched by the diversity of methods in persuading them to grow, however a few basic rules can help overcome some of the problems. Fresh seed Some rainforest plants, such as mite Booyong (Arg:;rodendron trifoliolatum) have a seed viability of only a few davs. i7hFlst most seeds axe not quite so se!isitive, it is important to essume that Immediate planting will Five the best results. %is particu1arl:y applies to soft seeds or those with fleshy seed-coats, such as the laurel family, and to those with fles\:y arils, s~~chas the Sapindaceae family. In many cases this means that seed must be collected strai~htfrom the tree instead of from the ground after it has fallen. A few seeds should almays be cut open first to check that they are firm and healthy before hundreds are collected. Cleaning Capsules or fleshy fmita often harbour seed-devouring insects. ':.?herever possible it is worth removing as much of the outer covering aa possible. In some cases :.here the fr~~itis normally dispersed through birds, the se~dsfrnply will not germinate with its seed coat intact, e.g. Oliver's Sassafras (Cinnamornum oliveri). This characteristie aids species to aveiQ concelltrztions of individuals which may attract pest^ and prgdators. Lilly-?illy fruits can be peeled or :vashed off, seeds with capsules can be dried for'a couple of days to induce the capsule to open, small seeds embedded in pulp can be sieved to remove flesh. Some seed debris and seed covers can be floated off with mater after some agitation. Soaking As a further precaution against seed predators, soaking for a fern hours or overnight is usually worthwhil~ This also hastens germination, particularly of arachgchitons such as the Flav Tree, by encouraging rapid uptake of mater, called inbibing. Some apparently shrivelled dr:r seeds such as those of the Lomatias can be _nroved to be healthy by soaking. Hovrever some species, such as the Yleepi~Lilly-pilly, (Vaterhousea floribunds) resent any soaking at all. Sowing A well drained medium is the most critioal factor zqd for t!~isCurFose coarsesand is simple and easy. It provides excellent drainace, has relatively few pathogens and is cheap. It has the added value of having no nutrients at all so that germinated seedlings can be storsd for years if necessary, small and yellow, but ready to be petted on and grown when wanted. ?his often overconles the problem of some species of shart viability fruiting only every few gears. Store seedlizgs, not seed. Ample vrater, shelter from frost and strong winds, and no more than 50% shade 2se also important. gottom heat is often -rery useful for tardy seeds but it is not essential. Protection from digging cats, bone- burying dogs, and hungry rats is vital. If plastic propagating trays are used, they can be also be inverted and used as covers against marauders. These rough c~idelinescan be used generally but of course there are many excep-cions and some species which don't follow any mles: Bunya pine (kaucaria bidnillii), a handsome, hardy tree with delicious nuts. 2!1e seeds must be pulled from the fallen cone before they begin to germinate and nlanted in a fairly deep tray with adequate drainage hut a solid bottom vrrhich the roots can not penetrate. The germinating shoot will leave the seed case, migrate to the bottom of the tray and reaain there for 6 months to five years before sending up a leaf-shoo t. Red Ash (Alphitonia excelsa), a very useful. fast-~rrowing pioneer species. '3e snall red-brown seeds are encased in stiff capsules surrounded by a dusty blac!c cover. Sometimes the red seeds are left attached to the tree after the outer covers have fallen. ?hey csn be collected and eech one nicked with nail- scissors to allom imbibing. It Is tedious hut morth it. Brown Currajow (Commersonfa bartrarie), another excellent pioneer. The prevish hairy secd-capsules can be aut in a blender, without mater, for a fern secon3s to free the tiny lrown seeds. Boil in^: water is then poured over the whole mess for a couple of secclnds before rapid coolinc :rith co1.d -rater. 3hita Beech (Grnelina leic~hardtii),a very valuable timber species. The purple fruits should be collectf d as soon as they fall. and the fleeh mashed off t!wourh a coarse sieve with plantr of mater. The hard seet. case inside looks as if Ft is half eaten a.,?ay Sy r?-23, but the seeds themselves ere behind tiny trapdoor:, visible as iaFnt bulges. Dese trapdoors zre difficult to open so it is usually best to simply saw the seed very thickly, several deep, and :'tai'c for :Ilea to apaear spasmodicnlly over the next 2-24 months. Fig4 (Ficus species), impar'z2t bird-feeding tr?es. Fig fruZC3 lose viability feirly quickly. They shor~.ld be collected fresh, and mashed torether rr/ith dr:r snad to make :hem easy to snrinkle SP~S~LYover the propagating medium, If not nixed :vFth sand the sesrts cerrninate so thickly ti.at they are inpossible to separate and pat up. Sallicorna (Callicoma serratif~lia),a fast-5r:rosing pioneer for wet sites. P.e round capsules should be collected In autunvl before thoir numsrous ~lmallval-res open, then dried for 2 fen days to enable the tiny brown seeds to be released. . They geminate rspidl::. Pittoepoxurn speciee, hardy and heeutiful pioneers. A11 have sticky seeds inside colourful seed capsules. The seeds can be scraped out and nixed vith sand as for fics. Red Cedar (~oonaaustralf s), 52sf-qrarrfng tree -::it'? su~erbtimber. Tear-shaced ca~sulesare brornrn and ripe in early Januzry; when colZectsd and lef5 :o 9r:: they should open within 2-3 days into a star, releasing numerous papery seeds wbiclr germinate rzpidly after sowing. balm Species. Il:oet palm species czn be planted i?-rediatelg and do not need to be cleaned. Some, such as Xtlkina Stick Palm (L~nospadixmonostachyus) have a -rpry hard seed wilich will not germinate for almost a yeor. TO save nursery space :hese can be left se~ledin plastic bags vith a bit of peat for some months. Roots appe-zring st the sidaa of the 5aq are the siqnal to pot up. Some of the rzinforest species ..~ithdry papery seeds, such as Red Cedar, Silky Cak (Grevillea robusta) avd Teak (Flfndersia australis) -a?be stored quite :7ell in the fridge. Such SFpcies are also safe to buy from commercial seed houses. Any fruit that is flesht- or moist urllen ripe can not be stored. Rainforest seed is becoming nore and more difficult :o collect as more people become interested. For this reason it is important that only tke amount intended to be used is collected. "his leaves some for others to ?row and, most importantly, leaves food for t'le Sirds and small mammals which need these seeds more than ae do.

>. TOURIST VIEW OF KAKADU. 7 We found this national park absolutely inspiring during a stay of 10 days from late May 1988. The diversity indicated by the numerous native plant species, (over 1500 have been recorded to date and there are undoubtedly others to be discovered), extends to the range of environments that makeup this unique and beautiful region. Tidal communities of samphire dominated mudflats, 20 species of mangroves, and on the beach ridges, small pockets of semi-deciduous forest containing Acacia, Pandanus and Eugenia. Floodplains of sedgeland, pandanus palms, freshwater mangroves (Barringtonia acutm~gula)and paperbark swamps, are inundated in the wet season but evaporate almost completely by the end of the dry. Lowlands consist of eucalypt dominated forest - woodiand, and savannah- grassland where the scrub is lower, more open, and made up of many shrub species. Escarpments and rocky plateaux (stone country) contain much bare sandstone, but there are considerable areas of heath and scrub with associated pockets of woodland, and rainforest where the dominant tree is the myrtaceous evergreen Allosyncarpia ternata. Monsoon forests occur as scattered stands at the junction of the lowlands and floodplains, along permanent streams and pools, and in gorges at the base of the plateau. A variety of tree species, vines, epiphytic mosees, lichens, ferns and orchids axe present. Like the paperback forests, monsoon rainforest provides an IrnportanC dry season refuge for animals. An extenoive riverine rainforest on the East Alligator River at Cahills crossing has a 1% km walking track throu~hit with a basic descriptive pamp- hlet describing the forest which is called "Mangaree". It was a most interesting place. Birdlife is rich and varied, with over 80 nonbreeding species migrating here each year. Some are from the south, such as Rainbow Beeeaters and the Australian Pratincole,while many waders arrive from as far ae Scandinavia, Russia, China, Japan and Europe. More than one third of Australlals known birds are found in Kakadu during the year. The Stone Curlew or Thiclc Knee is common here, as,itonce mas throughout the country. Its blood chilling call is frequently heard during the night. The blue winged Kookaburra also has an awesome call, not at all like the laughing Kookaburra of the south. There are very many species that are unfamiliar to us southerners, also vast flocks of water birds that are no longer seen in the settled districts. Furry animals and reptiles have many rare and unusual forms and current research tends to confirm that this is the one place on our continent where there have been no extinctions of any plant or animal since white man's arrival. We thought that the extent and intensity of the dry season burns was far too great both here and throughout the whole Top End. It seems so much more detrimental than the past fire practices of the aboriginals. Exposed rainforest components are taking a hammering, for even places adjacent to watercourses, stony slopes and lightly vegetated woodlands are purposely burnt. It is favouring domination by the fire tolerant spear grass, Sorghum iatrans, at the expense of shrub and smaller tree species. Many raptors notably fork tailed Kites are constantly feeding on dead and fleeing insects and animals. Modern man's matches, 4\Dfsand helicopters create far heavier disturbance than did centuries of aboriginal firestick farming. Overseas tourists were appalled, some even comparing Kalcadi~ :vith 'Ib~rnttoast1'. Visitor numbers are high, close to 300,000 just in the dry season although many merely flit in and are gone the sam'e day. It is hoped that the pressure will not be detrimental to this outstanding world heritage park. Those who are so interested will discover a whole new group of rainforest plants in a completely different setting, so don't hesitate - join the madding throng and get up there. BOOK KEVIEN - Wildflowers of Kakadu by Kym Brennan. K.G. Brennan 1986 ISBN 0958897107 A basic guide to over 190 plant species in the area. It hi:?hlights the most common, the spectacular and some of the unique wildflowers that are likely to he encountered by the observant traveller through Kakadu and the Top End. The book is divided into various habitats such as sandstone lowlands, floodplains, coastal monsoon etc. The photos are excellent, tlie descriptions brief. 1,Tanagement challenaes of feral animals, weeds and fire are touched on. The current fire regime ensures that in most years 80-9076 of the lowlands of the Park are burnt in early dry season "cool1'burns. The author confirms that the once widespread Cypress Pine, Callitris intratropica, known to be fire sensitive, has vanished from most lowland forests over the last couple of decades. QUICK FLO'XERING SPECIES - FROM MARIA PESAVENTO OF ATIIERTOB. I thought it might interest some planters to know how soon some species take to flower. One Year To First Flowering Evodiella muelleri Carnarvonia sp IIarpullia rhyticarpa Ficus congests Leea indica Dillenia alata **Xantl~ostemon chry. (cutting) Two Years Acronychia acidula Davidsonia pruriens Lomatia fraxinifolia Randi fitzallan Alphitonia whitei Deplanchea tetraphylla Lletrosiderous queenslandica Scolopia braunii Duckinghamia celsissima Graptophyllum excelsa Nnuclea orientalis Syzygium oleosum Cassia queenslandica Grevillea bailyanna Fullea stutzeri Syzygium, paniculatum Darlingia darlingianna Helicea nortonianna Three Years, Pour Years Archidendron grandiflorum Antidesma bunius Syzygiwn tiernyanum Eleocarpus angustifolius Eleocarpus arnemicus Syzygiwn wilsonii Grevillea hillianna Schefflera actinophylla Toechima erythrucarpum **Xanthosternon crgsanthus took 7 years from seed. Opisthiolepis heterophylla was 8 gears. (~d- Many thanks, Maria. This is the first time that North Qld. species have been recorded in some detail. h!any of these are new to me, as they will be to others from the south. Some of these are very showy specimens, extremely attractive when flovfering.] 8 , DRY RAINFORESTS AROUND KIITGAROY-GD,!PIE, SE QLD . Harry Franz of Goomeri appreciates the rebirth of the group (as have 11 others so far) and has sent an article on the local scrubs that he has appreciated for so long. His ambition is to buy an extensive block of natural rainforest to ensure its permanent preservation. A wuthy ideal indeed. Harry livea in ~inumbarbetween Kingwoy and Gympie. Bunya pines are common in the area, their major natural distribution was around the Bunya Mountains to Gympie. IIoop pine is more common along the boast. Large areas of dry rainforest have been cleared for grazing and Hoop pine plantations (9,000 ha in Burgon Porest district alone) even in the last 25 gears. Early plantations established 50 years ago are now being harvested and replanting will follow. Some Bunya has been planted mainly j32 gully bottoms. Clearing native forest for plantations will be phased out within a few years leaving protected areas of untouched rainforesband firebreaks have been left in a natural state. The biggest reserve will be at the headwaters of the Brisbane River on Mt. Stanley. Current management is more syi?pathetic, for positive attempts to prevent erosion on the slopes are carried out while creeks and major gullies are left uncleared. A big improvement on earlier methods, as at least some vegetation is lefQ unfortunately with similar situations in private ownership, most has been completely cleared for pasture. Kingaroyls fertile red soils have been almost cleared for more intensive farming activities. Preserved scientific areas include 210 ha at Benarkin in Yarraman district with an unusual association of bottle tree/hoop pine and as habitat for a rare hybrid Rock Yallaby. Localg a mall reserve protects wetter rainforest on red soflmhile another of several, hundred ha protect3 a lese common tree the gimt ironwood Choriearpia subareentea, tall emergents, buttressed, with colOWful pink and green bark. There fa much diversity fn the area's rainforests due to the varying soil types, including decomposed granite. Poor quality regrowth is occurring under older plantation trees. Lantana is widespread, fast growing in this di~trict~closinqin the more open forests and changing their compos- ition. Controlling the weed in grazing country usually results in the destruction of associaZed rain- farest regrowth. However, many locals are becoming interested in rainforests and are now prepared to keep remaining patches on their properties, some are even cultivating trees. Frost is a big problem Fn the regeneration process, temperatures are as low as -bOc, requiring protection of most young plants. IIarry is trying to determine some frost resistant species, indications are that Hoop and Dungah are fairly resistant with maybe snme temporary tip damage, Silky Oak is OK if it can get a bit of size before the first winter, Hynenosporum flzvum has established in the open and Podocarpus elatus has survived several cold winters without damage. NEWS FR@M THE RAINFOREST 1IIFORF.lATION CENTRE (RIC) LIS7BOKE Membe-rs of the RIG who are in Ecuador warking,have established seven nurseries growing local food trees and are planting the seedlings on a cleared corridor around the tribal lands to delineate the area of forest the tribal people clzim as home territory. This project is supported and encouraged by the Govern- ment as a ~olutfonto the problem of invasion by settlers etc into unmarked forest. Apparently neighbour- ing Governments are also looking with Interest at t!~e scheme a?ld hope to expand it across borders. Members of RIC are also working in the Solomons and in PllG in an attempt to assist the local land o\?llers to establish.viable small scale businesses that don't threaten the existence of the forests. This compares with the present situation where the only choice presented to the landewners is having a multinational company move in to heavily lag the forest,renderinr_:it useless for supporting the villagers in their normal manner. These companies are of course set up in such a wag that they make minimal profits so there is no income to pass on to the landomers. A GOOD DEAL One of the many questionable actions of the previous Fetersen government was the sale in 1987 of 3,000 ha of tropical paradise on the shores of Lloyd .by near the Iron Range, north Queensland for $2,186. This is 29 cents an acre and compares very favourably with the give array prices in the third world. IIowever, it was very quickly resold to a developer for $14 million. Some people have a lot of luck, don't they. BUNYA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK - SOUTH EAST QUEENSLIIID. The Bunp irEountalna form an isolated section of the Great Dividing Ranee about 150 Irm from the coast, beween Dalby and Kingaroy. The elevation averages 975m, reaching 1100 rn at tits. filowbullm and Kiangarow. The Aborigines highly appreciated the nutritional value of the bunya "nuts" that comprised a staple food for a couple of months each three-yearly harvest. They mere dispossessed one way or another when the loggers and sawmillers arri~edin the 1860's to cut cut the available timber by 1944. The Park was dedioated in 1908 and now totals 11,700 ha, 'Pl~ereare many good walking tracks rangins from f to 10 Fan long. Thirteen different types af vegetation are recoqn-nised.ranging from grasslands or balds", to the lush rainforests of higher altitudas. Wlnya Pine, ~lraucariabidhillil, dominates rnqig mountain *vops whilat Hoop Pine, Araucaria cunnfnghamii, occupes slightly lower elevations. Over BOO rainforest species are listed, including numerous ferns, six Laurels and five figs. The rainforest ia generally in ~ood condition due to minima impact of man's activities within the Park. The now fairly rare dry rainforeat of bottletree/bri~alow/beI~assouistion remains in ~enernllyinaccessible inolated pocketa, and "myrtle acrubs' are aha represented. Research indicates that the unusual "balds" formed about 30,000 years ago due to a drier climate, combined with Aboriginal use of fire. Conditions again became wetter and warmer about 12,000 years ago when relic pockets of sub tropical rainforest were able to recolonise established eucalypt forest, but somehow the "baldsu avoided this invasion. King Parrots, Crimson Rosellas and Scab Turkeys are common around the picnic areas, however, birdlife generally is rich, varied and friendly. DID YOU KMOY(? Exotic termites have been re orted from North Queensland and it !las been su~gestedthat they could pose pet another threat to ~ustrafianrainforests.