Forest Lake Residents Petition to Stop Planting Liquidambar Trees

With more than 220 signatures generated, several locals from Forest Lake petitioned the local government to stop planting more liquidambar trees. The group suggested that the community should focus on planting more native plants instead.

 

The liquidambar tree (also known as the American Tree Gum) is a plant native to North America and several parts of Mexico. It is a deciduous tree, which means it loses its leaves seasonally. Its leaves also turn colour as the seasons change, ranging from orange, purple, yellow, and red. While many consider this an attractive feature, the problem some residents found is that the tree could not withstand the Queensland climate and heat. This is why residents have formed a group, namely Flora 4 Fauna, to urge local government to only plant trees and bushfood native to Australia. Here are a few examples:

 

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  • Eucalyptus Tree – Belonging in the Myrtle family, this tree thrives in temperate regions. The Eucalyptus can grow as tall 90 metres and as wide as 7.5 metres.
  • Bottlebrush – This plant is usually native in South Australia and also belongs to the Myrtaceae family. They are known to thrive in predominantly damp areas, which is ideal for Forest Lake.
  •  Red Flowering Gum – This tree is one of the most common variants in the Eucalyptus family. It can grow as tall as 15 metres. It is native to a small part in south western Australia.

 

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Aside from trees, several kinds of flowering plants, mosses, algae, and fungi grow in Queensland. The point is the petition was raised to stop planting exotic and foreign trees.

 

The petition also calls for sub-contractors hired by the government to plant more local trees and shrubs. Aside from promoting the local flora, the locals also hope that native plants could reduce the overheating in Queensland. For more information on the petition, please click here.