Agapanthus, Gum Trees and Ravens

We have been weeding around the base of our gum trees to remove one of the genuine 70s features of our block: the Agapanthus. Very 70s, very noxious weed. Very everywhere. Being very well established it is going to take a lot of time to get rid of all the agapanthus, which mass together in patches that have to be broken up with an axe and then lifted out of the ground in chunks! We decided to start with the two clumps that surround the base of the two gums closest to the driveway.

[before (R) and after (L) removal of agapanthus]

It has taken us a month to do this one patch. And when I say us, I really mean M. I did some of the chopping and heaving, but it was mostly M. This first clump has filled our two 240 litre green bins three times over: so it has taken six weeks to get rid of it. Given how much remains, we will be at this for about six to nine months!

M. sifted the last of the roots from this patch of agapanthus on Saturday. I tidied up the bottom of the drive a little on Sunday, removing the edge of a few agapanthus colonies, some ivy, fallen leaves etc. So, between us, this weekend, we filled two 240 litre green bins; a 120 litre garbage bin, a wheelbarrow, three old 80 litre recycling bins; 13 garden-waste bags; four buckets and one old Sea-Mail shipping sack! We're both knackered and got sunburnt too. It is going to be a long nine months.

[The bottom of the drive, note the freshly-exposed boulders (middle right) that have been—and still are—playing host to ivy, agapanthus, blackerry etc

So, to celebrate our first victory over the agapanthus, here is a cobbled-together tall shot of the monster gum and its companions.

As it happens, an Unkindness of Ravens recently took up residence in the top of our monster gum, the tallest tree in the area. We seem to have about a flock of about forty to sixty ravens. At first we thought it was a murder of crows (the tree is tall and it is hard to see them), but once they started craw-ing at each other, the penny dropped.

They start at about 4.30AM; fortunately/unfortunately, that is about the time we get up anyway, so we don't mind the discordant dawn chorus. The video below is posted for coz J. As opportunities arise I will try to get video of the Kookaburras, Crows, Magpies, Whipbirds etc., but for now the Ravens have frightened them all away.