I submitted it as hakea and Ciaran corrected to pine. I think Ciaran is right. The needles are soft. We have quite a few feral pines in AB because of the mini pine plantation that was removed a while back.
I think I’ll return to each tree and compare them. I need to remove both of them anyway. The hakea, if it is a hakea, is not the species found along the Powerlines track and that hakea species is probably an escapee from ANBG according to Pam McDonald. There aren’t any hakea native to AB.
Hakea decurrens (Bushy Needlewood) is widespread across Black Mountain and the adjoining reserves that support the BM sandstone community (Bruce Ridge, Gossan Hill), it has also been recorded in Aranda. If this species were to only occur in these areas then one could perhaps make an argument for it being an escapee from the gardens, but Hakea decurrens is also well known from other dry woodland communities in the ACT (Tennant, Lower cotter & other urban reserves). So, I suspect the only viable conclusion is that is Hakea decurrens is endemic to the ACT. It follows then that this particular species will be endemic Black Mountain and presumably also Aranda bushland in some capacity (given they are connected)
I think the point that Pam McDonald is making may be in reference to occurrences of Hakea sericea (Coastal Bushy Needlewood), which is a species that is not endemic to the ACT. Plants of Hakea sericea have been collected (and subsequently removed) from Black Mountain and it is presumed that these wildings have originated from the gardens.
With respect to these plants, the situation remains somewhat unclear. Hakea decurrens and Hakea sericea are morphologically similar taxa that in practice are generally distinguished based upon distribution. Vicflora suggests that H.sericea is lignotuberous whilst H.decurrens is not, which would provide an easy method of separating the two. Lisa, if you are intending to return to these plants I'd recommend checking the base of the shrubs for a large woody growth present just below ground level, this will confirm the species ID. If Hakea decurrens then the plants should not be disturbed, if H.sericea then they may be removed as a non-local native though I doubt this species will be invasive in a local context. The worst that will have is some inter species gene flow.
Really interesting. I’m sure that Pam was talking about H. decurrens. I have only seen it along the Powerlines management track where it is prolific. I’ve reviewed sightings and I see that Ned found a plant behind the houses. I’ll check it out. I’ll also talk to Pam again. Anyway, I’ll apply the rule - if in doubt, don’t take it out.
The leaves on this plant that I’m trying to ID are soft - like pine needles. Hakea sericea and H decurrens leaves are stiff and sharp. So I return to my original identification - pinus radiata. Perhaps in one of my photos I will bend the longer pine needles to show they are not stiff. I will also show that some of the leaves are bundled together.
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