#22 Tongues in Trees
Landmark court case, Australian Pepperberry, Mixed Native Hedges, Feed the Birds, Lacewing larvae
Welcome to Tongues in Trees #22!
Spring has sprung in the Southern Hemisphere and there’s lots happening in the garden!
Read on or watch the YouTube video (link to be sent separately due to technical difficulties):
Landmark Court Case is a win for Marine Creatures in South Africa
Plant Profile: Tasmannia lanceolata
Permaculture Principle 8: Integrate rather than Segregate
Wonder: Feed the Birds
What is that!?
Landmark Court Case is a win for Marine Creatures in South Africa
There was a huge court case which started in December last year when Shell was stopped from trying to search for oil off what is called “The Wild Coast” on the Indian Ocean side of South Africa.
They were about to undertake an exploration mission using seismic blasts to map the seafloor and locate oil deposits. When seismic blasting occurs massive shockwaves are sent through the ocean. Those shockwaves can be very damaging to marine life. They can kill or injure marine life. They can permanently remove hearing, stop breeding activities and damage food chains. These blasts were planned for every 10 seconds, 24 hours a day for five months.
The local villagers and many environmental campaigners got together and they took Shell to court. Ultimately the court ruled that Shell were given the rights to map and mine that area illegally, because there was not enough community consultation. The court ruled in favour of the community and Shell now can’t do any exploration in that area.
This is great news for the planet and potentially sets a really good precedent. In practice, this precedent could set a requirement for community consultation and place communities in a position as custodians for the environment against big fossil fuel companies. This may help South Africa in future campaigns but could also influence campaigns around the world.
As Shell is moving its portfolio from fossil fuels to renewable energy, commentators believe that they are unlikely to appeal the decision. Unfortunately, other companies can still map and mine the area if they are given the rights.
In an area where traditional practices are maintained and tourism is strong, this court decision is great news. Culture can be maintained on the Wild Coast and tourists can continue to connect with nature.
It starts with a trickle and hopefully, this court case will start to move protecting nature closer to the flood of change!
Plant Profile: Tasmannia lanceolata
In last month's newsletter, I talked about the wonder of flavour from Australia's Native Pepperberry. Of course, there's no wonder quite like growing something yourself so I started trying to work out whether I could grow this amazing plant.
I couldn't find any information about how it might fare in my climate zone so I purchased a pair of trees and I am going to experiment and see how they go. I will document my progress on YouTube!
So let's get into the actual plant profile.
If you want to grow your own Pepperberries, you will need at least two plants, a male and a female.
Pepperberries naturally grow in cool temperate climate zones. The ideal temperature range for growth and fruiting is from 25 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. They will tolerate some humidity but are not tolerant of drought. They can survive s7b-zero temperatures and exposed windy locations.
The trickiest aspect of growing these plants is water. They like moist soil but are susceptible to root rot. This means that the soil needs to slightly dry out between watering. I have found that if I water every morning on hot days, and every second day in cooler weather, they are quite happy.
They prefer part shade or dappled shade and regular applications of lime-free organic matter or fertiliser. They benefit from mulch to help hold moisture.
By all accounts, they are hardy and low-maintenance plants once established.
Leaves, flowers and berries are all edible and have a history of use as a spice and a medicine in Indigenous Australian culture.
Pepperberry plants propagate easily from fresh seeds or fresh cuttings.
For more information, check out this excellent article from Aussie Green Thumb.
Permaculture Principle 8: Integrate rather than Segregate
We’re back to permaculture principle eight. This week’s tip is for backyards, front yards and large yards or paddocks.
Hedges are a great way to screen for privacy, reduce noise, filter wind and add wildlife corridors, but the traditional monoculture hedge doesn’t have the benefits of a mixed native hedge.
When you integrate plants rather than segregate into areas of single species, you make it more difficult for pests and diseases to spread through your plants and you create a more inviting habitat for all manner of garden friends. You also give yourself the pleasure of more species to enjoy.
Pictured is my native mixed hedge. I have carefully selected species that will respond to hedging as well as provide something to my family.
Watch this space for a link that will take you to a dedicated YouTube clip on all the plants I’ve chosen so far.
Hedges are a great place to establish edible or ornamental plants and can create a gateway for your local wildlife to enter the safe space of your garden.
Feed the Birds!
This week’s wonder was enjoyed by the whole family. We visited Birdworld in Kuranda, Far North Queensland.
Before we entered we had to take off or tape over any jewellery and watches. Birdworld is an open aviary and the parrots are not shy! They love shiny things and won't hesitate to take them from unwary humans.
We purchased a small packet of seeds and as soon as I opened it, I felt claws land on my shoulder. Soon we were all feeding cheeky colourful parrots with loads of personality and laughing at their attempts to monopolise the attention of whoever was feeding them.
We spent a glorious hour there and 24 hours later the children are still talking about it.
It's this kind of attraction that allows people to really connect and engage with nature. It doesn't match the awe of an encounter with a truly wild bird, but it's close!
If you're ever in Kuranda, I recommend it for all ages! We will definitely be going back!
Special Feature
This week’s special feature is “What is That!?” The curiosity in question was encountered on my front porch.
As I sat having a morning coffee, I saw a movement on the tiles. Initially, I thought it was a piece of fluff blowing like a tumbleweed in the breeze, but it wasn't quite moving with the breeze.
I went closer and saw that it was a bug of some sort. My first thought was Lacewing larvae. They are voracious predators who carry the exoskeletons of their prey on a spike on their backs, but the load on the bug's back didn't look like exoskeletons to me.
I took some photos and video and posted them in a bug group on Facebook. My initial idea had been correct! It was a Lacewing larvae or “Trash Bug"!
The “trash" is thought to aid camouflage and help them to evade predators. Lacewing larvae are great garden friends as they hunt small sap suckers like aphids and scale.
LOL on the technical difficulties. Story of my life.