IF YOU thought the climate in Dubbo was too hot to support a rainforest, a new “dry’’ version will be planted in Elizabeth Park as part of the continued development of the 10 hectare block.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
According to Dubbo City Council’s manager horticulture services, Ian McAlister, the development in the park will see the rainforest planted within the next two weeks.
Council was been working with Hunter Regional Botanic Gardens at Heatherbrae who have been growing the trees for council for the past six months.
Mr McAlister said the selection would be planted in Oasis Valley.
He said the trees had been chosen specifically for their adaptability to the climate in Dubbo. The trees had all been identified and would be the garden’s reference plants.
“It’s impractical for us to try and develop a tropical rainforest, it would not survive in Dubbo.
“We have harsh frosts in winter and hot summers,’’ he said.
“It will be a learning experience for us to see what survives out here, what the environmental constraints of the area are.
“That’s important for us to know, too.’’
Cheese trees, bunyip pines, Illawarra flame trees, lacewoods and ficus are some of the trees ready for planting.
They will be structured into “family groups” and won’t represent the true appearance of a rainforest but will make educating the public an easier task.
Mr McAlister stresses education was the point of creating botanic gardens.
Oasis Valley will be situated north of the Shoeyen Garden and next to the biodiversity garden. With the irrigation system now installed, the garden has been given the green light for planting.
“The recent rains have hampered our efforts as well, we just haven’t been able to get in there because the soil is quite heavy,’’ Mr McAlister said.
Oasis Valley will build on council’s plans to see the entire 10 hectares covered in a variety of gardens. So far Elizabeth Park is home to the well established Shoyoen Japanese garden, the biodiversity garden and the sensory garden.
Mr McAlister stressed the value in establishing solid relationships with other botanic gardens.
“I’m also working with the Royal Sydney Botanic Garden, where we are working on an arrangement for them to provide all the scientific names and cultural notes for us,’’ he said.
