Hughenden is a hot, dusty little town in north-west Queensland. Its annual rainfall is only about 250mm. Its summers are particularly hot, with temperatures always in the very high 30 degrees Celsius and often well over 40 degrees C.

It is situated on a vast, treeless, black soil plain that stretches south to Barcaldine and west past Julia Creek. The local flora of the immediate area is grass, more grass, and bindi-eye. The town is noteworthy for its lack of trees which, if only they were established, would improve the quality of life there enormously.

We lived in Hughenden for two years and occupied a government house. When we arrived the yard was devoid of any vegetation (except the odd clump of Mitchell grass); so that summer temperatures inside and outside of the house were often unbearable.

We immediately began planting fast growing plants to provide shade for the house and yard during the two years we expected to be there, and large shade trees to benefit occupants in future years. Since our accommodation was rented, and only for a short while, we were not prepared to spend large sums on purchasing advanced plants, or to wait the time needed to raise plants from seed. Consequently, the things we planted in our yard were largely a rather hotch-potch collection of plants we came by one way or another.

To be successful, plants had to tolerate (in order of importance):-
1. bore water,
2. very high evaporation rate,
3. very high temperatures.

Bore water, with its high concentration of salts, was the major cause of failure. Affected plants showed yellowing and stunted, retarded growth. Many died. The effects of bore water are increased where evaporation is high, since this further concentrates the salts in the soil. Mulching alleviates the problem a little by reducing evaporation.

Here are some notes and comments on our success and failures:

SUCCESSES:

Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gum)

- fast growing (5m in 18 months)
- very tolerant of bore water
- found in local rivers and creeks
- provides light, dappled shade.

Eucalyptus citriodora (Lemon-scented Gum)

- fast growing (6m in 18months)
- needed plenty of mulch and water for good thick growth
- some plants in the town, which were not mulched, showed the typical yellowing effect of bore water.

Eucalyptus tessellaris (Moreton Bay Ash)

- grew 3m in 18 months
- not as fast as the other eucalypts above, but very healthy and strong
- tolerant of extreme conditions once established.

Eucalyptus torelliana (Cadagi)

- fast growing provided it has plenty of mulch and water
- grows into a reasonable shade tree.

Casuarina cunninghamiana (River She Oak)

- fast growing (5m in 12 months)
- very tolerant of bore water
- very thick foliage (good screen)
- found in local rivers and creeks
- needed regular watering for good growth.
 
 

	Hibiscus tiliaceus (Cotton Tree) - an excellent shade tree (dense and bushy) - fast growing - very tolerant of bore water - grows well in most western Queensland towns and good specimens can be found in Hughenden, Richmond, Boulia and Longreach - flowers well.
Cotton Tree Hibiscus tiliaceus. Family Malvaceae.

Ficus benjamina (Queensland Weeping Fig)

- a very large spreading tree (to 15m high and 20m wide)
- an excellent shade tree.

Acacia hemsleyi

- a fast growing bushy shrub
- very tolerant of bore water
- attractive foliage, good screen plant, flowers well
- found in local sandstone rivers and creeks.

	Callistemon viminalis & C. rigidus - hardy, strong shrubs, but not particularly fast - good screen plants.
Weeping Bottlebrush. Callistemon viminalis. Family Myrtaceae.

 

	Westringia Wynyabbie Gem - fast growing, dense, bushy shrub (tip pruning helps) to about 1 metre high - showed slight yellowing in hard conditions, but generally very hardy - always in flower.
Wynyabbie Gem Westringia 'Wynyabbie Gem'. Family Lamiaceae.

 

	Melaleucas - all those listed below grew well with adequate mulch and water - all showed a slight tendency to yellowing with bore water - M. armillaris grew best, while M. linariifolia was the most difficult. - M. armillaris - M. Revolution Green - M. leucadendra - M. linariifolia - M. hakeoides ( from the One Mile Scrub - not available in nurseries).
Weeping Tea Tree Melaleuca leucadendron. Family Myrtaceae.

FAILURES:

- ALL Grevilleas that we tried failed (G. banksii, G. glauca, G. glossadenia, G. pteridifolia, G. sessilis, G. hodgei )
- most Acacias were unsuccessful (A. dunnii, A. leptoloba, A. leptostachya, A. podalyriifolia)
- Melaleuca thymifolia
- Baeckea virgata.

The Burra Range, with its beautiful flora, is only 100 km to the east of Hughenden. However, none of the plants we tried from there were successful.