Dean Nicolle
@deannicolle1.bsky.social
Eucalyptologist (gum nut). Botanist, arborist, ecologist & author, specialising in the eucalypts.
Landscapes / wildlife / science / biodiversity / climate / fire / conservation / evolution / wilderness / taxonomy
Currency Creek Arboretum
www.dn.com.au
Landscapes / wildlife / science / biodiversity / climate / fire / conservation / evolution / wilderness / taxonomy
Currency Creek Arboretum
www.dn.com.au
Whilst much of Australia floods, rainfall in parts of southern SA and Vic is still 'lowest on record' over the last 2 years. And haven't had a drop of rain since November at the arboretum.
reg.bom.gov.au/climate/maps...
reg.bom.gov.au/climate/maps...
February 11, 2026 at 11:41 PM
Whilst much of Australia floods, rainfall in parts of southern SA and Vic is still 'lowest on record' over the last 2 years. And haven't had a drop of rain since November at the arboretum.
reg.bom.gov.au/climate/maps...
reg.bom.gov.au/climate/maps...
The arboretum reached 'peak eucalypt diversity' in early 2024, when we had 95% of all euc species growing (820 of the 840 known species).
Since then, we've lost 50 to 100 species due to 'drought'. With runaway anthropogenic climate change, we're unlikely to ever reach those Feb 2024 numbers again.
Since then, we've lost 50 to 100 species due to 'drought'. With runaway anthropogenic climate change, we're unlikely to ever reach those Feb 2024 numbers again.
January 30, 2026 at 12:58 AM
The arboretum reached 'peak eucalypt diversity' in early 2024, when we had 95% of all euc species growing (820 of the 840 known species).
Since then, we've lost 50 to 100 species due to 'drought'. With runaway anthropogenic climate change, we're unlikely to ever reach those Feb 2024 numbers again.
Since then, we've lost 50 to 100 species due to 'drought'. With runaway anthropogenic climate change, we're unlikely to ever reach those Feb 2024 numbers again.
Another drier than average year, after last year's rainfall being the lowest on record for parts of SA. And now, just to top it off, we're going for the driest summer on record...
www.weatherzone.com.au/news/after-b...
www.weatherzone.com.au/news/after-b...
After bone-dry January, Adelaide faces low summer rainfall record
Adelaide has had no rainfall to date in January 2026 after just 2.8mm in December and faces a record dry summer.
www.weatherzone.com.au
January 29, 2026 at 4:36 AM
Another drier than average year, after last year's rainfall being the lowest on record for parts of SA. And now, just to top it off, we're going for the driest summer on record...
www.weatherzone.com.au/news/after-b...
www.weatherzone.com.au/news/after-b...
Variole paropsine beetle larvae chewing a few leaves on a Eucalyptus mckieana sapling at Currency Creek Arboretum.
Pretty cool critters at this life-stage, but I'm hoping to see them as adult beetles, when they become much more endearing! See:
www.inaturalist.org/taxa/746677-...
Pretty cool critters at this life-stage, but I'm hoping to see them as adult beetles, when they become much more endearing! See:
www.inaturalist.org/taxa/746677-...
January 11, 2026 at 2:07 AM
Variole paropsine beetle larvae chewing a few leaves on a Eucalyptus mckieana sapling at Currency Creek Arboretum.
Pretty cool critters at this life-stage, but I'm hoping to see them as adult beetles, when they become much more endearing! See:
www.inaturalist.org/taxa/746677-...
Pretty cool critters at this life-stage, but I'm hoping to see them as adult beetles, when they become much more endearing! See:
www.inaturalist.org/taxa/746677-...
New article on 'Hybridisation and Species Boundary in Eucalypts'. It focuses on 1) Phantom hybrids & 2) The Eucalyptus globulus species complex.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Photos are of 'The Mallacoota Gum', a phantom hybrid of E. cypellocarpa and E. pseudoglobulus.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Photos are of 'The Mallacoota Gum', a phantom hybrid of E. cypellocarpa and E. pseudoglobulus.
January 2, 2026 at 2:53 AM
New article on 'Hybridisation and Species Boundary in Eucalypts'. It focuses on 1) Phantom hybrids & 2) The Eucalyptus globulus species complex.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Photos are of 'The Mallacoota Gum', a phantom hybrid of E. cypellocarpa and E. pseudoglobulus.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Photos are of 'The Mallacoota Gum', a phantom hybrid of E. cypellocarpa and E. pseudoglobulus.
The 'Forest Lodge Tree', an impressively tall river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) in the upper Glenelg River catchment in the heart of Gariwerd / The Grampians.
I laser-measured this tree at 48 m tall, 7.3 m in trunk girth at chest height, and 26 m in average canopy diameter.
I laser-measured this tree at 48 m tall, 7.3 m in trunk girth at chest height, and 26 m in average canopy diameter.
December 23, 2025 at 6:39 AM
The 'Forest Lodge Tree', an impressively tall river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) in the upper Glenelg River catchment in the heart of Gariwerd / The Grampians.
I laser-measured this tree at 48 m tall, 7.3 m in trunk girth at chest height, and 26 m in average canopy diameter.
I laser-measured this tree at 48 m tall, 7.3 m in trunk girth at chest height, and 26 m in average canopy diameter.
The 'Faraway Tree' at Moot Yang Gunya Swamp in Mundulla (south-west of Bordertown) in South Australia.
I measured this massive river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) last week at 8.77 metres in trunk girth at chest height, 41 m tall, and 31 metres in average canopy spread.
I measured this massive river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) last week at 8.77 metres in trunk girth at chest height, 41 m tall, and 31 metres in average canopy spread.
December 14, 2025 at 2:21 AM
The 'Faraway Tree' at Moot Yang Gunya Swamp in Mundulla (south-west of Bordertown) in South Australia.
I measured this massive river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) last week at 8.77 metres in trunk girth at chest height, 41 m tall, and 31 metres in average canopy spread.
I measured this massive river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) last week at 8.77 metres in trunk girth at chest height, 41 m tall, and 31 metres in average canopy spread.
Any South Aussies looking for real-time Fire Behaviour Index data on a map? This page is great for ugly days like today: sapaging.com/ffdi_map
You can also click on any ‘spot’ to get current & recent FBI, temps, wind gusts, humidity etc.
You can also click on any ‘spot’ to get current & recent FBI, temps, wind gusts, humidity etc.
SApaging.com Forest Fire Behaviour Index (FBI) map for South Australia. Fire Danger Rating
South Australian CFS,MFS,SES,SAAS,MEDStar paging feeds
sapaging.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Any South Aussies looking for real-time Fire Behaviour Index data on a map? This page is great for ugly days like today: sapaging.com/ffdi_map
You can also click on any ‘spot’ to get current & recent FBI, temps, wind gusts, humidity etc.
You can also click on any ‘spot’ to get current & recent FBI, temps, wind gusts, humidity etc.
A outstanding specimen of Eucalyptus woodwardii (lemon-flowered gum) growing in the wild. It's one of 173 types of eucalypts that occur naturally in the WA goldfields, and one of 46 species that occur naturally nowhere else in the world.
More info: www.dn.com.au/Eucalypts_of...
More info: www.dn.com.au/Eucalypts_of...
December 2, 2025 at 11:20 PM
A outstanding specimen of Eucalyptus woodwardii (lemon-flowered gum) growing in the wild. It's one of 173 types of eucalypts that occur naturally in the WA goldfields, and one of 46 species that occur naturally nowhere else in the world.
More info: www.dn.com.au/Eucalypts_of...
More info: www.dn.com.au/Eucalypts_of...
After decades of research, our new book on the eucalypts of WA's goldfields has finally arrived! Designed, compiled and printed in Australia.
Looking forward to hearing what everyone thinks of this one.
For more information, sample pages and to order:
www.dn.com.au/Eucalypts_of...
Looking forward to hearing what everyone thinks of this one.
For more information, sample pages and to order:
www.dn.com.au/Eucalypts_of...
December 1, 2025 at 6:00 AM
After decades of research, our new book on the eucalypts of WA's goldfields has finally arrived! Designed, compiled and printed in Australia.
Looking forward to hearing what everyone thinks of this one.
For more information, sample pages and to order:
www.dn.com.au/Eucalypts_of...
Looking forward to hearing what everyone thinks of this one.
For more information, sample pages and to order:
www.dn.com.au/Eucalypts_of...
𝐄𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐩𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐬
Malcolm French and I are delighted to introduce our newest book, to be released next week! It includes all 173 different eucalypts from the WA goldfields, including many iconic species (gimlets, salmon gum, coral gum, the 'minniritchi' mallees, etc).
Malcolm French and I are delighted to introduce our newest book, to be released next week! It includes all 173 different eucalypts from the WA goldfields, including many iconic species (gimlets, salmon gum, coral gum, the 'minniritchi' mallees, etc).
November 26, 2025 at 12:32 AM
𝐄𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐩𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐬
Malcolm French and I are delighted to introduce our newest book, to be released next week! It includes all 173 different eucalypts from the WA goldfields, including many iconic species (gimlets, salmon gum, coral gum, the 'minniritchi' mallees, etc).
Malcolm French and I are delighted to introduce our newest book, to be released next week! It includes all 173 different eucalypts from the WA goldfields, including many iconic species (gimlets, salmon gum, coral gum, the 'minniritchi' mallees, etc).
A story on our backyard swimming pool-to-pond conversion: au.news.yahoo.com/couples-fant...
Couple's 'fantastic' backyard pool transformation inspires Aussies
Many Aussies are now wondering if they can achieve the same 'sensational' results at their home. Find out more.
au.news.yahoo.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:29 AM
A story on our backyard swimming pool-to-pond conversion: au.news.yahoo.com/couples-fant...
The new BOM site is a shemozzle. Dumbed-down information and impossible to find actual weather data. A massive step backwards for such an important service.
October 22, 2025 at 7:48 AM
The new BOM site is a shemozzle. Dumbed-down information and impossible to find actual weather data. A massive step backwards for such an important service.
Currency Creek Arboretum open days for 2026 are now scheduled!
The world's most diverse collection of eucalypts is only open to the public twice a year, at our biannual open days. Details here: www.dn.com.au/Currency_Cre...
The world's most diverse collection of eucalypts is only open to the public twice a year, at our biannual open days. Details here: www.dn.com.au/Currency_Cre...
October 22, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Currency Creek Arboretum open days for 2026 are now scheduled!
The world's most diverse collection of eucalypts is only open to the public twice a year, at our biannual open days. Details here: www.dn.com.au/Currency_Cre...
The world's most diverse collection of eucalypts is only open to the public twice a year, at our biannual open days. Details here: www.dn.com.au/Currency_Cre...
We're all set up and ready to go for the arboretum open days THIS WEEKEND! Come and see the world's most diverse collection of eucalypts, with over 800 species growing on the one site.
About an hour's drive south of Adelaide in SA. Open day details here: www.dn.com.au/Currency_Cre...
About an hour's drive south of Adelaide in SA. Open day details here: www.dn.com.au/Currency_Cre...
October 10, 2025 at 9:12 AM
We're all set up and ready to go for the arboretum open days THIS WEEKEND! Come and see the world's most diverse collection of eucalypts, with over 800 species growing on the one site.
About an hour's drive south of Adelaide in SA. Open day details here: www.dn.com.au/Currency_Cre...
About an hour's drive south of Adelaide in SA. Open day details here: www.dn.com.au/Currency_Cre...
Less than 2 weeks until our arboretum open days! Here's a few of the eucalypts flowering at the moment.
These free open days only occur biannually. Currency Creek Arboretum is about an hour's drive south of Adelaide in SA. Open details here: www.dn.com.au/Currency_Cre...
These free open days only occur biannually. Currency Creek Arboretum is about an hour's drive south of Adelaide in SA. Open details here: www.dn.com.au/Currency_Cre...
September 30, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Less than 2 weeks until our arboretum open days! Here's a few of the eucalypts flowering at the moment.
These free open days only occur biannually. Currency Creek Arboretum is about an hour's drive south of Adelaide in SA. Open details here: www.dn.com.au/Currency_Cre...
These free open days only occur biannually. Currency Creek Arboretum is about an hour's drive south of Adelaide in SA. Open details here: www.dn.com.au/Currency_Cre...
Carnivorous plants are always pretty cool, and we are lucky enough to have large populations of four different sundew (Drosera) species at the arboretum.
D. whittakeri (Whittaker's sundew)
D. glanduligera (scarlet sundew)
D. auriculata (tall sundew)
D. macrantha subsp. planchonii (climbing sundew)
D. whittakeri (Whittaker's sundew)
D. glanduligera (scarlet sundew)
D. auriculata (tall sundew)
D. macrantha subsp. planchonii (climbing sundew)
September 26, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Carnivorous plants are always pretty cool, and we are lucky enough to have large populations of four different sundew (Drosera) species at the arboretum.
D. whittakeri (Whittaker's sundew)
D. glanduligera (scarlet sundew)
D. auriculata (tall sundew)
D. macrantha subsp. planchonii (climbing sundew)
D. whittakeri (Whittaker's sundew)
D. glanduligera (scarlet sundew)
D. auriculata (tall sundew)
D. macrantha subsp. planchonii (climbing sundew)
Reposted by Dean Nicolle
A unique partnership between an artist and a botanist has resulted in an old rail corridor in South Australia becoming an eucalypt forest.
Forest rail trail grows from artist and tree scientist's seedling deal
A unique partnership between an artist and a botanist has resulted in an old rail corridor in South Australia becoming an eucalypt forest.
www.abc.net.au
September 19, 2025 at 11:18 PM
A unique partnership between an artist and a botanist has resulted in an old rail corridor in South Australia becoming an eucalypt forest.
"Perth had its wettest winter in 30 years. Why aren't its dams full?" An insightful and alarming news article by the ABC:
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
September 13, 2025 at 11:29 PM
"Perth had its wettest winter in 30 years. Why aren't its dams full?" An insightful and alarming news article by the ABC:
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
Reposted by Dean Nicolle
Discover the wildlife that call eucalypt hollows home in this stunning poster series by Paula Peeters! 🌳 Now featuring 4 ecosystems, incl. the new WA Wheatbelt Woodland. Explore + order here: paperbarkwriter.com/12967-2
#LoveAGum #TreeHollowThursday
#LoveAGum #TreeHollowThursday
July 10, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Discover the wildlife that call eucalypt hollows home in this stunning poster series by Paula Peeters! 🌳 Now featuring 4 ecosystems, incl. the new WA Wheatbelt Woodland. Explore + order here: paperbarkwriter.com/12967-2
#LoveAGum #TreeHollowThursday
#LoveAGum #TreeHollowThursday
Caught a flock to 20-odd yellow-tailed black cockatoos shredding the large woody fruits of Eucalyptus youngiana and the branches of drooping she-oaks at the arboretum.
They certainly are efficient at shredding fruits and branches in search of seeds and grubs!
They certainly are efficient at shredding fruits and branches in search of seeds and grubs!
July 21, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Caught a flock to 20-odd yellow-tailed black cockatoos shredding the large woody fruits of Eucalyptus youngiana and the branches of drooping she-oaks at the arboretum.
They certainly are efficient at shredding fruits and branches in search of seeds and grubs!
They certainly are efficient at shredding fruits and branches in search of seeds and grubs!
Eucalyptus rhodantha (rose mallee) at Currency Creek Arboretum today.
The operculum (bud cap) is here shedding to reveal the stamens (the pink, thread-like structures which form the colourful part of most eucalypt flowers) and the anthers (the tiny, pale yellow 'dots' which produce pollen).
The operculum (bud cap) is here shedding to reveal the stamens (the pink, thread-like structures which form the colourful part of most eucalypt flowers) and the anthers (the tiny, pale yellow 'dots' which produce pollen).
July 20, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Eucalyptus rhodantha (rose mallee) at Currency Creek Arboretum today.
The operculum (bud cap) is here shedding to reveal the stamens (the pink, thread-like structures which form the colourful part of most eucalypt flowers) and the anthers (the tiny, pale yellow 'dots' which produce pollen).
The operculum (bud cap) is here shedding to reveal the stamens (the pink, thread-like structures which form the colourful part of most eucalypt flowers) and the anthers (the tiny, pale yellow 'dots' which produce pollen).
This year's spring open days at Currency Creek Arboretum will be on Sat 11 & Sun 12 October 2025.
Learn about the research we are doing in the most diverse collection of eucalypts on the planet (over 800 species!) Free entry and tours. Open Day details here: www.dn.com.au/Currency_Cre...
Learn about the research we are doing in the most diverse collection of eucalypts on the planet (over 800 species!) Free entry and tours. Open Day details here: www.dn.com.au/Currency_Cre...
July 15, 2025 at 7:42 AM
This year's spring open days at Currency Creek Arboretum will be on Sat 11 & Sun 12 October 2025.
Learn about the research we are doing in the most diverse collection of eucalypts on the planet (over 800 species!) Free entry and tours. Open Day details here: www.dn.com.au/Currency_Cre...
Learn about the research we are doing in the most diverse collection of eucalypts on the planet (over 800 species!) Free entry and tours. Open Day details here: www.dn.com.au/Currency_Cre...