Felicity
Prior to getting involved with the Peer Group Mentoring Project, I was learning about growing trees only from books and from trial and error.
My overall aims had, since purchasing this property about 12 years ago, focused on self-sufficiency and long-term
viability. I didn’t see trees as a priority for achieving these aims. I was certainly not interested in making money out of trees, despite the real estate agent pointing out the commercial value of jarrah and marri on the property.
The initial site visit by Cath, Byron and Dave was useful. We walked around the property looking at a variety of things and had a great conversation as we went. I picked up quite a few helpful ideas on the day. For example, we talked about planting fire-retardant trees along the border of the State Forest and concluded that it would be better to widen
firebreaks between the forest and my native bush than use non-flammable species of trees. I also acquired some new ways of thinking about patterns of trees and how to fit them into the whole, so that I was looking at the aesthetics as well as their practicality.
Non-native trees would have spoilt the natural beauty of the bush. The mentoring team produced a report on the initial site visit. I have to say I actually found the conversation we had on the day more useful than the written report. Since
then, Cath has been keeping in touch in an informal way when we meet up at other events.
My interaction with the mentors has led to a significant change in my thinking about trees. I now realize that trees can help me achieve my objectives, especially when considering my orchard and Food Forest. I can see them fitting, being complementary, with my philosophy of increased viability, productivity and aesthetics. So I am re-thinking and re-designing how I will do some things and how I will use trees.
Byron had suggested planting chestnuts for fodder, but I don’t like the look of chestnut trees. However, I’d like to plant some oak and sandalwood trees as a windbreak on the south boundary. Which leads me to the other major change in my thinking; trees don’t have to be native to be helpful to the environment. Prior to participating in the mentoring
program I thought I should plant mainly native trees. Now I can see that non-natives have a role. In fact I am very interested in show-casing some Mediterranean trees – setting up a demonstration or arboretum as to what adjustments can be managed in Margaret River during climate change.
Prior to getting involved with the Peer Group Mentoring Project, I was learning about growing trees only from books and from trial and error.
My overall aims had, since purchasing this property about 12 years ago, focused on self-sufficiency and long-term
viability. I didn’t see trees as a priority for achieving these aims. I was certainly not interested in making money out of trees, despite the real estate agent pointing out the commercial value of jarrah and marri on the property.
The initial site visit by Cath, Byron and Dave was useful. We walked around the property looking at a variety of things and had a great conversation as we went. I picked up quite a few helpful ideas on the day. For example, we talked about planting fire-retardant trees along the border of the State Forest and concluded that it would be better to widen
firebreaks between the forest and my native bush than use non-flammable species of trees. I also acquired some new ways of thinking about patterns of trees and how to fit them into the whole, so that I was looking at the aesthetics as well as their practicality.
Non-native trees would have spoilt the natural beauty of the bush. The mentoring team produced a report on the initial site visit. I have to say I actually found the conversation we had on the day more useful than the written report. Since
then, Cath has been keeping in touch in an informal way when we meet up at other events.
My interaction with the mentors has led to a significant change in my thinking about trees. I now realize that trees can help me achieve my objectives, especially when considering my orchard and Food Forest. I can see them fitting, being complementary, with my philosophy of increased viability, productivity and aesthetics. So I am re-thinking and re-designing how I will do some things and how I will use trees.
Byron had suggested planting chestnuts for fodder, but I don’t like the look of chestnut trees. However, I’d like to plant some oak and sandalwood trees as a windbreak on the south boundary. Which leads me to the other major change in my thinking; trees don’t have to be native to be helpful to the environment. Prior to participating in the mentoring
program I thought I should plant mainly native trees. Now I can see that non-natives have a role. In fact I am very interested in show-casing some Mediterranean trees – setting up a demonstration or arboretum as to what adjustments can be managed in Margaret River during climate change.