Unique habitat tree honoured as our Tree of the Month

It’s our first dead Tree of the Month since our campaign to highlight Holdfast Bay’s much-loved trees started in April 2021.

But even though the red gum is no longer living, it is being celebrated for its contribution to the environment.

After its health declined several years ago and it was unable to be brought back to life, it was transitioned into a habitat tree.

Now, for the second consecutive year, a pair of rosellas has made their home in the habitat tree – much to the delight of local resident Gordy who campaigned for the tree to remain on the street.

He has also nicknamed one of the rosellas Rodger, after spotting it on the porch of his daughter’s house near the tree.

“This is a fine example of our council working collectively with its constituents,” he said.

Naturally formed tree hollows can take approximately 100-150 years to form so they are rarely seen in urban areas.

But with 303 species of native Australian wildlife dependent on such hollows, introducing habitat hollows can play a critical role for urban ecology.

The tree is located at Lapthorne Street, Glenelg East.

Last year, the rosellas were captured on Google Street View moving into their new home.