Watch out for Himalayan Ash

with Brownie

In the July 5 edition, I wrote about the importance of being a responsible gardener and making sure that what you grow in your yard isn’t going to become a problem pest plant in someone else’s.

Meredith from Flaxton wrote to me and highlighted one problem garden plant she’d like everyone to know about … Himalayan Ash.

She wrote …

“I’ve been concerned about invasive weeds in our Blackall Range environment and, as you identify, emerging species are a major concern. I was alerted to a Himalayan Ash on my property by an observant friend and have had it removed but am now besieged by thousands of seedlings which need hand pulling. The seedlings bear no resemblance to the mature tree and are a monoculture under where the tree stood. The mature Himalayan Ash is unremarkable until it flowers, and then the extent of the problem becomes evident.

This is a plea to feature this plant in your ‘in the garden’ segment and encourage landowners to seek and destroy where possible. I notice it infesting riparian zones along the range and down the escarpment.”

Yes, Himalayan Ash (Fraxinus griffithii) is a common garden plant which over the last 20 years or so has become acclimatised to our local conditions and is now jumping the fence at an alarming rate.

Sunshine Coast Council have recognised the threat that it poses and have listed the species as a ‘Locally Significant’ invasive plant in their Biosecurity Plan. The plan says they are considered undesirable, and their continued propagation and planting should be considered.

It was a commonly promoted street tree and garden plant back in the 1990’s as it has some lovely features. It’s shady, doesn’t grow excessively large, attracts bees when in flower, has a nice shape and form and doesn’t mind being pruned and shaped.

But it also had the hallmarks of a pest plant in the making… it produces masses of wind-blown seeds, the seeds germinate easily and the roots are rather invasive, especially into pipes.

As Meredith says, the seedlings sprout prolifically and look very different from the parent plant.

Meredith has recognised that these plants in her garden are undesirable and has done something about them.

If you have this tree, please consider removing it and doing yourself, your neighbours and the environment a favour. Local native trees with which the Himalayan Ash can be replaced are the smaller lilly pillies (Syzygium species) or Silky Myrtle (Decaspermum humile) … Forest Heart Eco-Nursery in Coral Street Maleny can help with more local suggestions.

If you’d like to send me something of interest, just drop an email to reception@gcnews.com.au