November Meeting - Stuart Inchley - Slender Tree-ferns in the Tarwin River Forest

Come & hear all about the Slender Tree-ferns that Stuart Inchley has on his property in the Tarwin River Forest. Slender Tree-ferns (Cyathea cunninghamii) are listed as Critically Endangered under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee (FFG) Act 1988. This means they are facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future.

Stuart has recorded the largest population of Slender Tree-ferns in Victoria in the Turtons Creek area across private and public land with 265 counted so far and we believe there are more. Research estimates there are only about 1000 of them left in Victoria...we are pleased that we can now add this important population to the list.

They are slow growing and it is thought that they need to be at least 7m tall and over 25 years old before they are mature enough to produce spores.

Slender Tree-ferns are thin and tall...they have a diameter of between 5 and 20cm and can grow to 20m high. They are found close to smaller creeks in steep gullies, as they require wet conditions and need protection from strong wind. They are found in rainforest areas with stable banks.

You may also like the following events from Sale & District Field Naturalists Club:

• Next month, 5th September, 09:30 am, September Meeting - Wendy & Norbert Fuessel – Our Trip to Norway in Sale
• This October, 3rd October, 09:30 am, October Meeting - Wildlife Unlimited – Spot-Tailed Quoll in Sale

Also check out other Meetups in Sale.