A Tale of Three Trees

At this month’s ACF Verge Garden Visit we paid particular attention to three adjacent trees

At this month’s ACF Verge Garden Visit we paid particular attention to three adjacent trees. They are all street trees planted by Brisbane City Council. One is well established, having been planted some time ago, and the other two were planted more recently at the same time. All are brush box, Lophostemon confertus, a tree widely used for street plantings in Brisbane.

The established tree has a strong trunk now, but surface roots are evidence that it has struggled to penetrate the compacted soil and in the past mowing and whippersnipping around the base of the tree has caused repeated damage. The trunk and roots are now being protected by an area of newly established plantings, an extension of the original verge garden.

The central tree has had the protection of a verge garden all along and is growing vigorously, benefitting from the shaded surface the garden plants provide as well as theirs and its own leaf litter as mulch. During rain events it breaks the force of the rain, allowing for greater penetration into the garden and soil below. Combining with the trees within the resident’s garden it was forming a shady canopy over the footpath.

The third tree stands in isolation on a mown footpath. Its trunk bears the scars of repeated damage which has contributed to its stunted its growth. The soil at its base is exposed to the drying effects of sun and wind and, as it is positioned on a hill, the erosive effects of heavy rain. Its trunk and canopy are barely a third the size of its “twin”.

The verge garden itself is compliant with Brisbane City Council guidelines.
https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/content/dam/brisbanecitycouncil/corpwebsite/environment-and-water/documents/verge-garden-guidelines.pdf

Afterwards, we had great coffee and conversation at the nearby Gourmet Grill.

More Events Coming Up

• Friday 1st May 2026 - Verge Gardening for People and Planet at Kumbartcho, Eatons Hill

• Sunday 10th Saturday 9th May 2026 - Wendon Way Bushcare Working bee Wendon Way Bushcare will be on Saturday 9th at 8am. Saturday because of Mothers Day. Starting at 8am now its a bit cooler.

• Verge Visit and Casual Coffee: no verge visit in May

• Sunday 24th May 2026 - Stall at Sustainable BNE Festival

• Sunday 31st May 2026 - Stall at Brisbane City Council’s Wendon Way Planting Event

• Saturday 6th June 2026 - Stall at Queensland Day Festivities, Banyo

• Sunday 7th June, 9am-1pm - Stall at Rainbow Lorikeet Park Bushcare World Environment Day event at Aspley