Changes at Davidson

Autumn is always the most spectacular time at Davidson Arboretum. As these photos taken this blustery, grey morning plainly show.

Deciduous trees behind the Rotary shelter

The leaves have turned to their autumn colour but there are also other changes afoot. Parks and Gardens staff of the Toowoomba Regional Council have been working hard in the Arboretum.

Camellias along the fence.

First, there are new plantings including deciduous trees, camellias, clivias and annuals. 

Replacement planting

Clivias

Annuals

Chinese Celtis

A Chinese Celtis, Celtis sinensis, will grow into a magnificent tree, but it becomes an invasive weed in Toowoomba. It is possible this one in Davidson grew from a seed dropped by a bird. The King Parrots and Pale-headed Rosellas love the fruit of this species.

Just see this young Celtis outstripping the delicate maple, and many more seedlings are springing up.

The above stumps tell their own story. Trees that have grown just too close. 

Below, three giant pines were removed from here to open up a space too heavily shaded. Other trees around them were already straining to grow away from them. Specimens underneath were becoming weak and misshapen.

The Pinetum at Davidson Arboretum

The remaining pines include some really interesting ones and it is planned that young of these will be grown and planted in Frenau Pines Pinetum on Hursley Road. Here they will have more room to develop than the tiny hectare of the Arboretum. 

Ken Davidson planted rare, interesting and/or exotic trees, especially deciduous temperate trees that colour in the autumn, and this vision will live on.

Lastly, two little nature notes which occurred while I was at Davidson this morning.

This White Migrant butterfly looks just like the leaves it is resting on.

An immature Golden Whistler. This is very similar to a female Golden Whistler
but has the rufous margins to its wing feathers. Note the yellow under the tail.