> Does anyone have suggestions for a fast growing small tree for clay
> soil in Melbourne, good for children to climb? Needs to have strong
> branches and a canopy for some shade too.

> Unfortunately fast growing and good for children to climb don't match
> up very well as good climbing trees are usually old with branches that
> have grown strong as their diameters have increased. Fast growing
> trees tend to shoot up like telephone polls. I had a look around Royal
> Park this morning to see if I could spot a youngish tree of a species
> that might be good for climbing. I rejected any that had rough,
> scratchy bark and those with V shaped forks at the branch junctures.
> There was one smallish-growing species of Eucalypus that had branches
> close to the ground that could support a small child. The leaves had a
> pepperminty smell but unfortunately I don't know the species; but my
> guess is that it is one from the basalt plains as indigenous trees are
> planted in that part of the park.
> Flora of Melbourne lists some low branching eucalyptus trees that
> might suit your requirements. They include Eucalyptus pauciflora ssp.
> pauciflora (Snow Gum), Eucalyptus radiata (Narrow-leaved Peppermint)
> and Eucalyptus yarraensis (Yarra Gum). One of the indigenous nurseries
> or Kuranga would be among the best places to look for trees mentioned
> in Flora of Melbourne as general nurseries carry only a limited range
> of native trees.
> Early selection of the best spaced climbing branches and removal of
> twiggy or badly placed branches would help you create a climbing tree.
> Early branch pruning needs to be close to the trunk as short pruned
> branches poking out are a hazard to eyes.

> On Jan 27, 1:20 pm, nonimouse <gonativ...@gmail.com> wrote:

> > Does anyone have suggestions for a fast growing small tree for clay
> > soil in Melbourne, good for children to climb? Needs to have strong
> > branches and a canopy for some shade too.- Hide quoted text -

> - Show quoted text -

> A couple more suggestions for trees that meet your requirements for a
> tree for children to climb are: Eucalyptus cladocalyx "nana" (Dwarf
> Sugar Gum) and Corymbia ficifolia.
> Acacia cognata (the tree form) is fast growing and although not
> suitable for climbing itself, would make a lovely shady place for
> children to play as the  foliage weeps to the ground. To turn it into
> a climbing tree you could construct a couple of platforms linked by
> short ladders within the canopy. Some neighbours of ours cut the top
> third out of their A. cognata after several years and it really
> improved its form, now having an appearance not unlike a weeping
> willow but denser. Kuranga sell a couple of selections of this tree. I
> prefer one where the phylodes are broader rather than fine.

> On Feb 14, 2:32 pm, Camaldulensis <tn...@bigpond.com> wrote:

> > Unfortunately fast growing and good for children to climb don't match
> > up very well as good climbing trees are usually old with branches that
> > have grown strong as their diameters have increased. Fast growing
> > trees tend to shoot up like telephone polls. I had a look around Royal
> > Park this morning to see if I could spot a youngish tree of a species
> > that might be good for climbing. I rejected any that had rough,
> > scratchy bark and those with V shaped forks at the branch junctures.
> > There was one smallish-growing species of Eucalypus that had branches
> > close to the ground that could support a small child. The leaves had a
> > pepperminty smell but unfortunately I don't know the species; but my
> > guess is that it is one from the basalt plains as indigenous trees are
> > planted in that part of the park.
> > Flora of Melbourne lists some low branching eucalyptus trees that
> > might suit your requirements. They include Eucalyptus pauciflora ssp.
> > pauciflora (Snow Gum), Eucalyptus radiata (Narrow-leaved Peppermint)
> > and Eucalyptus yarraensis (Yarra Gum). One of the indigenous nurseries
> > or Kuranga would be among the best places to look for trees mentioned
> > in Flora of Melbourne as general nurseries carry only a limited range
> > of native trees.
> > Early selection of the best spaced climbing branches and removal of
> > twiggy or badly placed branches would help you create a climbing tree.
> > Early branch pruning needs to be close to the trunk as short pruned
> > branches poking out are a hazard to eyes.

> > On Jan 27, 1:20 pm, nonimouse <gonativ...@gmail.com> wrote:

> > > Does anyone have suggestions for a fast growing small tree for clay
> > > soil in Melbourne, good for children to climb? Needs to have strong
> > > branches and a canopy for some shade too.- Hide quoted text -

> > - Show quoted text -