3. THE FIG TREE RESERVE
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 7, 2023: Until just days ago we thought all the koalas living on the Fig Tree Reserve before the devastating fires of 2019/20 had perished. [FULL update here.]
UPDATE DECEMBER 27, 2023: We thought common wombats we no longer found in our area BUT we’ve spotted one on our Fig Tree Reserve along with two tunnels… [FULL update here.]
Fig tree reserve is 43 ha of north facing mountain side woodland with spectacular views out to the Nandewar Range in the west.
This was at the end of a two-year drought, all the trees in an effort to survive, shed leaves, bark, and branches, so there was a huge build-up of litter, the fire was extremely hot, and almost all of the mature trees were lost. Along with a koala colony and many other birds and animals.
Fig trees
Orange gum
We visited Fig Tree reserve in February, the last month of summer to determine if it could be grazed.
There has been a build-up of long grasses, both native and introduced (Coolatai) so we wanted to “crash graze” the area, to reduce the fire risk.
When we crash graze we place a large number of animals in the Reserve for a short period of time.
However, Eucalyptus saplings and young Hickory Wattle are still only a 0.5metres to 1 metre high, not tall enough to be safe from grazing animals. So, we decided to postpone the grazing until the trees are bigger, risking a fire for the sake of re-growth.
It is said that with careful species choices we can have wattle’s flowering in our gardens all year round.
Wattles are always the first plants to grow after a fire.
They need smoke to germinate, and they act as a ground cover and produce nitrogen for the other trees and plants for a few years and then they die out, waiting for the next fire to sprout again.
In the past Aboriginal people continuously burnt the woodlands in a mosaic pattern, burning only part of the area in the winter months. These “cultural burns” removed the build-up of litter but did very little damage to mature trees. Most Australian Native plants can withstand a small fire and will regrow vigorously the next season.
Rock Istome
Golden everlasting daisy
Aboriginal people ate the figs, but we don’t know if the Pittosporum is edible.
Wild Clematis has finished flowering and is producing seeds, so much is always happening in our woodlands if we just have the eyes to see.
Save Our Woodlands is dedicated to ensuring all these species and more have suitable habitats for their continued survival.
Please donate – every donation – no matter what size helps!
Yellow buttons
Fruiting Pittosporum
Wild Clematis with seeds
People tend to think that woodlands are “just bush,” consequently, over 85% of the native woodlands in New South Wales, Australia have been replaced by agriculture.
Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate of any country in the world.
Any & all sized donations are appreciated & immediately put to use including donations from our $10 per month program.
Please help us continue to protect critical habitats. By doing so YOU will prevent further species from extinction.
We are entirely volunteer-driven.
Our work is only possible with your support.
