Well, rodaf, I can only suggest that you look at the rainforest species which grow in Tasmania and NZ. Areas like the Blue Mountains in NSW should also have species which would suit your climate.

You say you're in cold NSW, that could be quite a few places, where in particular, or is it a secret.

Roy

Thanks so far. I live in the Goulburn area. The problem with many colder temperate species I have tried (Doryphora, Nothofagus, etc.) is their apparent preference for misting (or just mist) and intolerance for severe frost. I am not aware of more drought AND frost tolerant rainforest/mesophyll species from Tasmania or New Zealand, except the sclerophyllous stuff (such as Dononaea, Kunzea and Leptospermum) which have identical or very similar species native to my area. So far Cunoniaceae have been disappointing, though I haven't tried Eucryphia or Aphanopetalum yet. Tasmannias can be grown near Crookwell in an open paddock (inside protective sleeves I believe), but Crookwell has more rainfall. I haven't yet tried the super-dry 'rainforest' species (or their para-specifics) such as Leopardwood, Wilga, Rosewood and other western plants because so far they have been difficult to obtain and I believe severe frosts may not occur very often on the western plains. I would be grateful for any particular species people might have experience with or that someone might feel is worth a go.

Hey there Rodaf.

I'm not that learned when it comes to climate, growing conditions and the like but I can give you a few suggestions that might be worth a go.

Nematolepis squamea (Lancewood or Satinwood)
Pimelea drupacea (Rice-flower)
Tasmannia lanceolata (Mountain Pepper)
Pittosporum bicolor (Cheesewood or Tallow-wood)
Prostanthera lasianthos (Christmas Bush)
Notelaea ligustrina (Native Olive)
Coprosma quadrifida (Native Currant)
Ziera arborescens (Stinkwood)
Lomatia tinctoria (Guitar Plant)
Correa lawrenciana (Mountain Correa)
Olearia argophylla (Native Musk)
Bayeria viscosa (Pinkwood)
Pultenaea stricta
Goodenia ovata (Hop Goodenia or Parrot's Food)
Asterotrichion discolour (Tasmanian Hemp Bush or Currajong)
Acacia riceana (Rice's or Spiny Southern Wattle)
Acacia verniciflua (Varnish or Juniper Wattle)
Oxylobium ellipticum (Golden Rosemary)

OK, so I came up with more than a few.... Most of these are more your damp/wet sclerophyll plants as opposed to true rainforest species. I have even seen alot of these growing in damp gullies and sheltered positions in dry sclerophyll forest. Not sure if this helps any but hopefully it might steer you in the right direction. I hope you at least find it interesting.

Good Luck.

Matt.

Failing that, rodaf, move to Queensland. Everyone else is :)

Nothofagus cunninghamii grows fine with only soil water. It doesn't like drying winds though. Give Dealbata nursery in Dalgety a ring - I was there a few days ago and they told me that they get -10 regularly. They would know what would work.

If you think about the ridges of the Blue Mts, they are quite open and exposed, often covered in snow in the middle of winter. Summers are normally quite dry as the soil does not retain much moisture. I would expect that you would be after something between this and the bottom of the gully. Why don't you go for a bushwalk through some of these areas to get some ideas. You may or may not be able to ID the plants, but you will get some sort of idea anyway. Also, Cranebrook native nursary should be able to help.

You may find it easier to grow some of the more delicate plants if you can get some large stuff established to create a micro-climate. This way you can minimise the effects of strong winds, colder temperatures and also lift the humidity.

The protective species can be anything that grows well where you are.

Our local council (and many others nearby) has a community nursery where we grow plnats indigenous to our area. The seeds are collected & grown by the bushcare officer & various volunteer groups.
Try contacting your council & find out if they do something similiar.
Sarah

You must be joking, Sarah May - our council running a community nursery????????? They wouldn't run a community chook raffle.

I agree with Robert - create a buffer first. I'm in town (and not really into natives) but it is surprising what you can grow when protected from the wind and the frost.

Our big problem is that the subsoil is so dry and likely to remain so until the next great flood of biblical proportions. Water holding crystals may be the go. There is at least one person in the area who bought a semi-trailer load.

Yes, I agree with Robert, too, get some wattles growing first, or similar pioneer sp. and then you can plant your other sp. This should get some humidity going as well.

I think it is fantastic what you are doing on your property, rodaf. Seems like a real challenge.

Popi

Hello, I seriously doubt that your rainfall will be high enough, however, if you are prepared to be patient, why not try a planting schedule, mapped out over a period of time. For example, Casurinas and Acacias, whilst not true rainforest Genera, will provide for a pioneering phase, with complimentary ground and mid-storey plantings. These lower strata plantings will probably require more TLC and you'll be able to gauge where you've been sucessful. As the stand ages, introduce your climax species see what happens? I would suggest Melaleuca stypheloides, Acacia implexa, Alectyron subcinerous, Notolaea longifolia, Pittosporum revolutum...

cya

Hello Rodaf,

Try researching trees with a very wide natural range. Maybe Acacia melanoxylon (Black Wattle) would be a good pioneer species, though I'm not sure of its weed status in your area. Also there is a Brachychiton species (I'm not sure of the specific name) growing successfully in Dubbo -the climate would not be that different from yours?

Bat's Wing Coral Tree (see the link) may be suitable though the natural range might stop north of your area. It grows on the Darling Downs where frosts can be expected.

Wilga might be worth a shot.

Best of luck,
Frank

Here is a link that might be useful: Bat's Wing Coral Tree

Hello again Rodaf,

I've done a little research and come up with the following list. A couple reinforce my previous thoughts. I think you may already have considered and discounted some of the others, and some may be long shots. But if I was in your position, I would try them all and see how I went.

Cheers,
Frank

Angophora floribunda
Geijera parviflora
Brachychiton populneus ssp. Populneus
Brachychiton rupestris
Brachychiton australis
Petalostigma triloculare
Flindersia maculosa
Flindersia australis
Atalaya hemiglauca
Pittosporum phylliraeoides
Pittosporum rhombifolium
Santalum lanceolatum
Ficus platypoda var. platypoda
Erythrina vespertilio
Agathis robusta
Grevillea robusta
Euroschinus falcata var. falcata
Callitris glaucophylla syn. C. columellaris var. campestris
Araucaria cunninghamii
Syzygium corynanthum

I'm not sure if they are exactly "rainforest plants" (I haven't been to Aus in 17 years and then I didn't much care about plants) but how about some of the hardier Grevilleas. I have a number that are very frost hardy and can handle drought, wind, etc. and still grow vigorously. G. victoriae and a few others can handle -12C or lower.