My Tree Growing Life

[Bob Whitworth]

And What’s Even More!

I suppose that it must have started when I got the idea as a child to plant and grow trees. After completing my university studies and from a zero base, I saved enough to purchase my run down farm, in cash. I then started planting trees in the thousands. I looked after these plants and nurtured them to grow. They eventually grew into large and tall trees. I’ve then cut some of them down and one was even over 120 feet tall. Quite an excitement in itself! I’ve then snug the logs back to the house with the tractor. Here I’ve loaded the logs onto the back of my vehicle and hauled them to the local sawmill. I’ve then had the logs sawn into boards which I’ve carted back home again. Here the timber has been used both internally and externally. Some of the outside boards have rotted away with time and have been replaced. These decayed pieces have been cut to length and used as firewood in the wood stove to cook my dinner. The ash from this wood has been used to sprinkle on some seedling that I’m growing and a rare cycle has been completed. How many people can claim to have done all of that and what is even more, there is still enough left of me to still enjoy life!! Oh yes!
That seems to sum it up!!

[artme]

and a big welcome!

Need more treegrowers like you. Keep on keeping on.

[Ad de Crom]

Hi Bob, wellcome on board.

Ad

[munruben]

Great work Bob, sadly I have only planted a few trees in my life but I did plant a gum that grew to a great height and is still growing in Sydney. Great to have you as part of the mad house.

[Bob Whitworth]

I thought that I’d answer the question posted in “Buy Sell and Swap” here as to whether I’d read Murray Bail’s “Eucalyptus”.
Yes, I have read it and yes I also have a beautiful daughter who for a few weeks would have had one of the most recognizable faces in England when she was used for advertising of all things, “the breathing of fresh air”. She has since married an arborist. I haven’t though planted an arboretum specialising in my favourite few species of Hoop Pine, Gympie Messmate[GM], Queensland Maple, Silver Ash and Red Cedar. I do though have an interest in some unusual and rare species that just might have an undiscovered potential. These have been, KinKin Penda, Giant Ironwood, Scented Maple, Hard Scented Maple, and Maple Silkwood but they are all too slow in growing to be of real interest. The story line of the book ties in with the characteristics of the many types on eucalypts and spotted gum is mentioned and the question is posed as to whether it is the most beautiful of the eucalypt genus and I under stand the question as I familar with the tree and I’ve planted a few of them myself. I’m interested though in GM and read page after page waiting for it to be mentioned. I eventually come across it near the end of the book and to my disgust, it is mentioned in error and in a derogatory way. Let me take the opportunity to come to the defence of GM. It is a very large fast growing tree that has relatively fault free wood that is strong, heavy and very durable. As far as I know, there is no other tree that has all those positive characteristics. I would certainly be happy if Murray would correct this error in his other while enjoyable book!!

[dazzler]

Sounds great and well done.

How have you supported your family while growing these trees

[Scally]

So the book was about you!!

I am sure the author has had a few people offer alternate opinions about the different trees properties. He must have needed a Euc that fitted some idea in the story and 'messmate' is a name that suggests som problems.

You must really enjoy your work. I worked in Coffs Harbour for several years and had a fair bit to do with vegetation issues especially forestry and revegetation. I also enjoyed dealing with Alex Floyd and John Wrigley. John, like you, was keen on promoting some of the less know natives.
Today I enjoy playing with great pieces of wood.

[Bob Whitworth]

There is no doubt about it, it has been a struggle. I was married years ago but she left for greenier pastures and my daughter left a few years later. To make some money, I’ve done a few years of high school teaching, now I am the occasional casual relief teacher. I do many odd jobs including writing magazine articles and assistant film editor, handyman carpenter, from the farm, selling a few avos and mangoes, cattle, and timber mostly from selling Red Cedar, and Gympie Messmate fencing timber. A few years ago there were three Hoop Pine sawmills in the local town and I was going to sell them logs but they have all closed down. I now intend to purchase a small sawmill and this is definitely the better option anyway but I can’t afford it at the moment but I believe that my time will come in the not too distant future and then some greener pastures for myself??? How nieve can you be?.

[dazzler]

Sounds like a great life