AusBonsai

I am lucky enough to be on a short break with my family in FNQ at the moment. On a dawn walk this morning I was taken by this Casuarina - at least I think that is what it is ... from a google search I think it might be either Glauca or Equisetifolia... I’ll ask someone local later. Point being - I like the form and could take inspiration to create a lovely Bonsai in future. To date - I have thought a more upright stance would be the way but this is semi-cascade, windswept ....
Kinda cool I reckon.

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Those trees are Casuarina equisitifolia - pretty nice - its a very evocative shape - and the sound of the wind through their branchlets is a piece of peace. Ash

Palm Cove has some fabulous trees.

Casuarina equistifolia grow especially large in tropical areas. Nebari can be large and buttressed, just like the banyans! They also have paperbarks along the esplanade that I've marvelled at every time I've been there.

melbrackstone wrote:Palm Cove has some fabulous trees....

... They also have paperbarks along the esplanade that I've marvelled at every time I've been there.

Thanks for the responses both. Melb - here’s the paperbarks to rekindle your memory. [THUMBS UP SIGN]
And another Casuarina at sunrise [SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES] Cheers,

M


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Aren't they magnificent?

This is a good time to go croc watching too, since the crocs like to sit in the sun as much as possible, especially at low tide. Enjoy!

Killer photo that one.
How good is FNQ!

Yes FNQ is lovely and to Mel’s point - we saw a croc sunning itself as we drove over a river yesterday! Having been to Darwin a number of times too - crocs are amazing, prehistoric and IMHO.... best seen from a reasonable distance away. Bonsai however, best close up!


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We have a lot of those Casuarinas growing along the coast here too. The ones growing closest to the beach are often undermined by the waves when there's a cyclone swell, and the trees fall over and die. Although the limbs are usually quite straight the roots are often very interesting, and I've collected several that are long dead and bleached. They are not driftwood in the strictest sense but can be used in bonsai creations to good effect. I've attached pics of a branch I've used and of some of these roots I've collected. The Baekea Tozerensis was bought at a nursery, pruned and gently bent into the groove I've carved into a piece of driftwood two weeks ago and already has new leaves. The Baekea should gradually fill the groove as it grows and hopefully stay lodged in there. I plan to do a few more of these in the coming weeks.
Unfortunately it will be difficult if you wanted to take some driftwood back to Melbourne
Cheers, Frank.

Love the idea Frank. [THUMBS UP SIGN]

And perhaps spurred on you - here’s a few more shots of the casuarina that I have become a little obsessed with ... it’s not a Jin ... what do you call a crack in the trunk like that ?
And another shot just for fun... Ok - one more - Rolling Stones ‘Miss You’ - easing out of the speakers in the background.

I was preparing a forest of Casuarinas back home - I might now style them with a beach setting in mind.


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