[ID} Melaleuca ?? Collected

[kcpoole]

While out riding yesterday with the Kids along the M7 Cycleway, I noticed that the RTA / Council were cutting down lots of trees on the mounds next to road and Cycleway. Dunno why and never found anyone to ask.
As we do while travelling I am always looking the trees and shrubs to pick the good candidates and notice a Teatree of some description ( there and thousands of them) that was 1/2 hanging out of the bank and with broken top.
I assume that the local kids have been swinging on them. I Reckoned its survival chances woud be NIL where it was, so went back with a saw to cut back and cleanly cut the roots off and see what we had.

It came out easily and have potted up in my Diatomite mix after soaking in Seasol

2 Questions..
Can we identify the variety?
With paperbarks, should we reduce the foliage after collection?

With Deciduous trees I would cut back hard, and Evergreens I would leave as much as I can on there.

Ken

[Pup]

Are those leaves stiff like prickles if so it is probably styphelioides, no gaurantee though.

Pup

[bodhidharma]

Certainly looks like Styphelioides. When it buds new growth mine is red, that should be an indication. Nice trunkline.

[kcpoole]

Thanks Guys
the leaves are Quite stiff, but can be bent and do not spike you at all

What about Foliage reduction after collection?

Ken

[tom k]

I don't think it's stypheloides as the leaves are more narrow-lanceolate rather than ovate-lanceolate, and not spiky)
My guess is M. decora (or M. nodosa but I think it's pretty spiky too)
Can you give more description? What length are the leaves? Are they twisted towards the tip? Are there flowers or capsules on the other plants and if so what are they like (white or yellow, with divided feathery "petals", in spikes or globular clusters)?

[kcpoole]

Hi Tom
The leaves are out 10mm long and not twisted

No flowers, pods or anything at the moment that I could see

[tom k]

Fairly confident it's M. decora then, unless it's a non-local species.
In the wild it likes a heavy clay/shale soil and swampy conditions. A water-tray in summer might be in order, it tolerates occasional flooding.
They're beautiful trees, hope it goes well for you.

[kcpoole]

Fairly confident it's M. decora then, unless it's a non-local species.
In the wild it likes a heavy clay/shale soil and swampy conditions. A water-tray in summer might be in order, it tolerates occasional flooding.
They're beautiful trees, hope it goes well for you.

Thanks Tom ?

will post Updates if all goes well and I get get new growth lin the future

ken

[kcpoole]

Certainly looks like Styphelioides. When it buds new growth mine is red, that should be an indication. Nice trunkline.

Nope do not think so Pup
http://www.oznativeplants.com/plantdeta ... es/zz.html

the Leaves on mine are far too small

Its definitely not M.nodosa
Not too sure about m. decora either going by these Photos. these look too soft and large
http://www.tumbiwetlands.com.au/Photo22.html

Maybey have till it recovers and flowers
Ken