The tree following its pruning to create a ‘habitat’ or ‘stag tree’ for Glebe’s native fauna (photos by Andrew Wood).

Last year a Ficus obliqua (Moreton Bay Fig) in Jubilee Park, close to the western entrance to the light rail tunnel in Victoria St, had almost died. The Society wrote to the City asking that the tree be retained and made safe by pruning to provide habitats for insects, birds and other animals.

As Land for Wildlife Queensland states, ‘large, old trees and standing dead trees are unique and irreplaceable features of our landscapes’. Known as ‘habitat’ or ‘stag’ trees, ‘they provide numerous living places and other resources for many kinds of animals and plants’. These trees ‘have lots of hollows, cracks and crevices of various sizes, where animals may live, breed or shelter. Old and dead trees are an essential part of all native forests and can be referred to as ‘nature’s community dwellings’ as they provide an important resource to wildlife 24 hours a day’.

The City accepted our request and the Ficus has now been expertly pruned and we look forward to seeing its use by Glebe’s native fauna.