permaculture

["permaculture.biz" <darren@permaculture.biz>]

 

Hi Danielle,

 

You are right – the Honey Locust is a declared weed in Queensland – in Feral Future (Tim Low’s book on weeds) there are photos of some pretty vicious looking specimens from the gulf country in inland QLD. The sub tropical climate (summer dominant rainfall in particular) sets them off. Down here in Victoria they are much less noxious however and suffer by comparison from the lack of effective summer rainfall. In their native climes (eastern USA) they have more summer rainfall than we have here – however are still very drought hardy as Graeme Brookman pointed out. I reckon they would find their best climate in mid to northern inland NSW where summer storms create a bit of havoc (hence the Soil Con. Work all over the place) – Acacia pendula country – perhaps a bit wetter.

 

When I last caught up with Tim Low he chastised me for planting them despite me pointing out that down our way they don’t jump out of the ground like they do up north. He suggested to me that they are like a time bomb awaiting climate change and the likely wild summers we face with its onset. Tim, it appeared, until I pointed it out to him, hadn’t heard of the thornless cultivars available – many of which adorn the nature strip’s of many a fashionable Melbourne streetscape. I also told Tim of the Lantana, that he similarly demonizes (with some validity – although the reason’s for it and other “weeds” is more complex than that), that my parents had as a small – sometimes struggling hedge in suburban Bendigo. It didn’t go off – the climate just isn’t there for it. Just you wait though!!!

 

The thorns of Honey Locust are quite severe and could (and no doubt do) cause a lot of harm. They are quite capable of piercing tyres such is their length and rigidity (pers. Comm.). We have established selected thornless cultivars and have also grown seedlings from known high baring thornless stock. We plant them primarily as a fodder tree (pods) and for long term timber. Don’t know about foliage – we exclude stock until they can cope with the intrusion – any stock can feed on the pods – even humans – we have selected pods from street trees that have been 30-40 cm long and quite sweet – not like or as good as carob – not even close – but not too bad. Stock (sheep and cattle) when fed the mulched pods (pods through a home mulcher as kibble) seem to enjoy them quite a lot – again not as much as carob but just the same more than hay or grain at the same time of year. I’d say chooks would go for them too. The Millwood variety among others is the highest in sugars and a very high yielder – not looking good at this stage for any in Australia though – like so many good species.

 

Cheers,

 

Yours and Growing,

 

Darren J. Doherty

Applied Diploma of Permaculture Design, (Education, Site Design, System Establishment & Implementation) Permaculture Institute (1995)

Permaculture Design Certificate, Permaculture Institute (1993, 1995, 2001)

Whole Farm Planning Certificate (Train the Trainer), University of Melbourne (1995)

permaculture designer @ permaculture.biz

a. 103 Casey St, East Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, 3550

p. 613 5444 1068

f. 613 5444 0621

e. darren@permaculture.biz

w. www.permaculture.biz

 

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: permaculture-oceania-admin@lists.cat.org.au [mailto:permaculture-oceania-admin@lists.cat.org.au] On Behalf Of danielle tendys
Sent: Monday, January 19, 2004 8:45 PM
To: permaculture-oceania@lists.cat.org.au
Subject: RE: [permaculture-oceania] Honey Locust_"Millwood" Seed

 

Hi Darren,

I have read that Honey Locust is actually a declared noxious weed in some areas, can anyone tell me if this is true? Also, if it is a 'pest' are there any varieties that are easier to control? I think that it was the thorny varieties that were the problem as animals could become impaled on the thorns. Does anyone have any more info on this? Also, those who have grown/used the plant in a permaculture set up - have you found that the pods are readily eaten? Foliage? Any particular variety and livestock more suited? Sorry can't help with any seeds of the Millwood var.

 

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