Murrumbateman Landcare Group Meeting

What Eucalypt is that?
Can you tell a Scribbly Gum from a Brittle Gum?! What about an Apple Box from a Yellow Box? If not, don’t worry because if you come along to Murrumbateman Landcare’s next meeting at 7:30pm Thursday 4 February, you will learn how to recognise those as well as many others. The meeting will be held at our normal venue – the Murrumbateman Recreation Ground Hall. 

We will hear from CSIRO plant ecologist Michael Doherty who gave us a presentation early last year, and who will re-present his interactive talk on how to identify the eucalypts found in the woodlands and forests of the region, with tips on how to use bark, flower buds and gum nuts to differentiate species. We will also learn about their distribution, their ecology and how they cope with fire and mistletoe. Michael will also touch on the key features needed for identifying some of the larger local shrub species, particularly Acacias. Specimens permitting, we will try our hand at keying out some of the common species.

If you have a tree on your property you are puzzled about, Michael and MLG can help you identify it….bring a good picture or some leaf/bud/fruit material and a description of the trunk – is it smooth barked, rough barked, half and half, blotchy patches of colour or all the one colour? Or what about mistletoe? Mistletoe is often found in eucalypts and is a highly valuable resource for birds and wildlife. Most eucalypts can sustain a very high number before tree health is affected but if you are concerned about one of your trees, please bring a picture of the tree canopy and we’ll assess how healthy it is.

After the meeting you are welcome to stay and chat, and enjoy a cuppa and a light supper. If you would like to bring a plate of your favourite nibblies to share please do.

Gill Hall
Secretary MLG