After removing the outgrowth of cassia/senna from the bank of Dick’s Creek it has left an area of grass which needs restoration. It also removed a screening service which was being performed by the Cassia so a replacement species was required that would tick a few boxes
- It needed to be a smaller tree that would not interfere with nearby powerlines or produce obsticles or debrey for the adjacent road and driveway.
- It needed to be able to work as a screening bush and preferably had to be quick growing so it could fulfil this role as quickly as possible.
- It was preferable that it would be a food source for the native birdlife
- Obviously, a nicer looking plant would be appreciated as well being just off the street
I attended the Lake Macquarie Landcare Resource centre and spoke to an onsite expert who pointed out which suitable plants were available from the LC nursery.
They were:
- Glochidion ferdinandi
- Melaleuca styphelioides
- Acacia longifolia
- Pittosporum undulatum
- Breynia oblongifolia
I believe the best ‘fit’ to the requirements is Acacia longifolia.
Apparently the birds love the flowers, it is quick growing and a great screening tree. Hopefully it is not too late in the season to get them bedded in.