johuisamen's Identifications

We encountered this gigantic Australian tree fern during an oz tree fern hack in Witfontein forest. It was in a partial clearing and competed well in size with its mature neighbours, pines and eucalypts. Our jaws dropped in sheer disbelief!

Removing Australian tree ferns is itchy business. Best to wear protective clothing from those large leafy scales on the fronds. At Witfontein some of the drainage furrows next to the track were choked with them. The plant does well in any conditions, even open sun and is a popular choice as a garden subject. It is thought that they were punted for that purpose to take pressure off our own indigenous tree ferns. Problem is that they are spreading rapidly into our natural areas and are outcompeting our indigenous plants.

Plants are easy to remove. Chopping or sawing the caudex and preferably uproot to prevent regrowth.

There is always friendly rivalry between South Africans and Ozzies... for sheer size - this time the Ozzies score big time!