Thread: Umbrella trees ?

The Umbrella tree IS a native. just not a good one to have in a suburban area

The 'Umbrella tree' or 'Octopus Plant' Schefflera actinophylla usually grows as a climber on other trees in the rainforest, monsoon forest and sometimes woodlands of tropical Australia and New Guinea, it's roots resembling a strangler fig. Once established it may grow as a large tree in it's own right. It is called the 'umbrella' tree due to the circular arrangement of it's leaflets. The flowers are held in umbels along the long 'octopus' arms that are held at the end of the main stalk, high above the other branches and leaves. Later, small umbels of hard red fruits develop along the same arms. Specimens can easily be seen along the Cape Tribulation road.

I've got a couple of small logs drying to see what they look like cut. When green they look like a cross between a palm tree and paw-paw logs(!), so I don't reckon they have much hope for anything useful.

They are considered an undesirable plant, (not noxious in Qld at least) mostly because they have a very voracious root system (buggers plumbing) and their seeds are easily spread by birds.

There's probably a specimen in every third yard in Brisbane. (Probably an umbrella tree there too!).

Keep the log, dry it and see what happens...in Adelaide you'll always benefit from burning it in winter if it doesn't work out. \


Cheers,

P

Or, make an umbrella from it.


Al

I figured that the Umbrella Trees were in season. I saw plenty of people with the fruit today in Melbourne.

Himzo,
like Bob said, these are native in my neck of the woods (pun intended) I cut a few out of my back yard as they were fouling the power lines. The timber is very soft and the stumps rotted away in no time. I doubt that they would make very good fire wood but you might get lucky for turning.

Mick

Thanks guys,

I took some time out for therapy yesterday and visited the Leda/The turnery store and picked up some endcheck paint, I'll coat and set a few pieces away for when I get a lathe, the rest will find their way into the fire wood pile.

Who knows, by the time it's dry enough for the fire It may become usefull elsewhere.

Bob,
If it's native - meaning to Australia as a whole, what's the term when it's not native to a specific area such as the Adelaide Hills, is it "not endemic"? :confused:

Himzo.

I don't know,I am suffering a bout of lethologica and so cannot answer your question at present.

Ohhhh K.,

I hope you get better soon,

Himzo

I doubt that I will ever get 'better' more likely just even more lethlogicaly challenged.