TREES WITH SECRETS  words Carmel Rowley

It’s now close to thirty years since we came to live at our property “Corraba” on the outskirts of Toowoomba. In 1988 I was sent to Queensland on a mission to buy a property, my husband Don insisted there was no way he was going to take on buying a house that I would love!
I found and purchased the most engaging log cabin with tall gum trees around it, a couple of struggling jacaranda’s, lots of shady Wilga’s and long shaggy grass fringing the porches. What more could I want? Here’s a ready-made garden. I’ll enjoy tidying up, making a few alterations, planting some flowers and greenery.

From “To A Butterfly (second poem)” by William Wordsworth:
What joy awaits you, when the breeze
Hath found you out among the trees,

To say life got busy is an understatement. With breeding Arabian horses and off the farm jobs our years became full of decisions and demands. And well, this garden of mine changed with the decades, it soon became obvious no matter what was planted the poor plants had to suffer either a feast of rain or lengthy dry famines. You guessed it, not many of my original garden plants survived. I felt enormous relief when it finally dawned on me that a garden didn’t have to be manicured to be enjoyable. Look around, I told myself, here in front of you is a natural Aussie landscape, do I really need fancy garden beds? Above the ever-sapphire sky, icy greenish gum leaves, the dark browns and fawns of peeling bark may not have been fashionable but the ambience was restful, familiar and somehow permanent.
On the days I needed to escape I found myself wandering around the property, counting birds, snapping photographs and when Don remembered to slash the long grass down at the creek I would visit the most mysterious, magical tree you could imagine, a giant Peppercorn. This tree sends shivers down my spine. Clearly, I have way too much imagination, even at my age, this tree regurgitates my childhood longing for a treehouse.
It’s a gnarled limbed tree, rough dark grey bark covers the trunk and branches which, as it ages, developes a wonderful chunky trunk and jutting burls. These textured additions only add to its spiritual, architectural beauty. The trunk and limbs are in contrast to its feathery-evergreen leaves and its delightful trusses of reddish fruit, which hang like strings of beads throughout the tree.

Photograph Sally Thompson

This tree houses secrets, it may be silent but it’s battered exterior protects its silent internal voice, I will not tell the whole story. But as you watch, it teases thought and conjures solutions.

From “It’s like the light, –” by Emily Dickinson:
It’s like the woods
Private like breeze,
Phraseless, yet it stirs
The proudest trees.

For me, personally, the odour when the leaves are squashed  brings to mind my early childhood and my grandmother. The structure and the memories draw me to visit more often now I’m no longer as busy as I used to be.
Where my so-called garden stops, a natural wonderland begins and takes possession. I know how much I’ve grown to love this type of wild, unkempt type garden. Is it why the Australian landscape is so attractive? The humble wattle tree, glows with golden light, no matter what time of year. Imagine, a wattle is flowering somewhere in Australia no matter the season. But it’s the ever-inspiring gums that offer a special magnificence.
It may be a dry winter but my garden is full of colour: mostly soft yellows, russet with many variations of greens and browns. But after this last busy week, I visited my Peppercorn down at the creek and took some photographs to share. I love oddly shaped trees so I sat and stared at the tree, picturing elfin-like creatures clambering up the branches until they were hidden by leaves. I made a few rough notes and as I closed the notebook I had a strange sense of urgency, best get back and feed the horses! I threw up my hands and laughed … I’d forgotten that I didn’t have to do that anymore.

I can imagine there are lots of people out there who have trees they adore …

If you have time I’d love to hear about them.