These photos were taken on January 17^th 2020

Four weeks after the fire destroyed the park

(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - 2020

(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - 2020)

(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - 2020

(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - 2020

(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - 2020)

(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - 2020

(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - 2020

(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - 2020)

(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - 2020

(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' collection - 2020

The Recovery of Burnt Trees

This information was sourced (edited) from the City of Whittlesea Bushfire Recovery fact sheet

Burnt trees – Will they re-grow?

In some cases trees will not regrow due to the extreme fire intensity experienced in a number of areas.
Generally, however, most trees, especially Eucalypts, are expected to regenerate in time as they have evolved
adaptations to withstand bushfires.

The following are examples of the various adaptations some native plants have evolved to
survive bushfires:

Epicormic buds

Trees with rough bark, such as Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua) have epicormic buds (dormant growth buds)
deep beneath the bark which are protected from fire.
When the tree is burnt and the foliage removed, the epicormic buds are triggered into lifeand they start to grow.
Once these buds sprout, the tree then begins to regrow all the lost foliage, and gradually recovers in time.
The first few leaves to sprout from these epicormic buds may look very different to the leaves that were on the tree
before it was burnt. These first few leaves are juvenile leaves and will soon be replaced by adult leaves which are
often larger.

Lignotubers

Some other eucalypts regenerate from underground lignotubers which are large roots from which the tree can sprout new
growth.
Although the above-ground part of the tree may not survive being burnt, the lignotuber and root-system remains alive.
These trees should be left alone as their removal will damage the lignotubers and may prevent the tree from successfully
regrowing.
In time, these trees will often develop multi-stem trunks and provide important habitat for local wildlife.

Regrowth

Other plants such as Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoea australis) have also developed ingenious ways to withstand
bushfires, including dense, fibrous trunks.
These plants simply reshoot and recover quite quickly. Many local landowners have remarked that tree ferns located
in gullies and along watercourses started to resprout only weeks after the fires. Many indigenous plants, including
Grass Trees, rely on fire to remove the build up of leaves and dead material.
Once burnt, flower-spikes, which will develop numerous seeds, are often the first sign that the Grass Tree is alive.

Seed storage – crown

Other plants may not survive bushfires but have instead developed ways to ensure that their species will still persist
into the future.
A number of smooth barked eucalypt species, rarely survive bushfires and have instead evolved other ways to regenerate
following fire.
Seeds stored in capsules (gum-nuts) in the tree canopy are released following fire, then germinate en-masse once
conditions become favourable, ensuring the survival of the species.

Seed storage – soil

Wattle trees (Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood)) have developed seeds with hard coats which are stored in the leaf
litter and soil.
Many of these seeds have been buried underground by ants busily building up food stores to feed their colonies.
The heat of the fire cracks the seedcoats and triggers germination.
Many properties have experienced a carpet of tiny seedlings emerging from the blackened ground.
In time, these seedlings will thin themselves out naturally and gradually replace the mid-storey vegetation,
providing an important food source for local possums and birds as they recolonise bushfire affected areas.

Note:- This Fact Sheet was prepared for the City of Whittlesea, north of Melbourne, Victoria, but is also relevant to our area.

These two photos show the start of the recovery process in Lobethal Bushland Park.

Both photos were taken in the same area (different camera angle).

The first photo was taken 17^th January and the second on 18^th February 2020.

(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' 17^th January 2020)

(Photo (©) - Peg & Bill Chartres' 18^th February 2020