Forest Friday is looking at the Golden Pea – Daviesia arborea
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“Knowledge is great, understanding is better”
This is a chance for us to explore the different trees we use in our permaculture designs. There is so much to understand about a tree before placing it in a system, and by giving a tree what it needs to thrive, the whole system can benefit from the many design and ecologic functions they provide.
Savour Soil uses the Golden Pea – Daviesia arborea in many designs, Being a native, as a living hedge, windbreak and privacy screen, fertility tree and fodder but there is so much more to this tree.
Habits:
- A large shrub to small tree with a weeping habit, grown in Sub-tropical, Warm temperate climates
- Perennial, Yellow, Gold flowers in spring
- It responds well to coppicing as it is fast growing.
- Wind tolerant and drought hardy
- It is easily propagated by seeds all year.
- Can grow to 14 metres
Needs, Tolerances + Susceptibilities:
- Golden Pea requires water in hot periods
- Established plants rarely need watering, except in extremely long dry periods.
- It can be burned by a light frost or morning sun in winter
- Will tolerate most soils provided they drain well.
- Tolerates rainfall less than 650 mm annual rainfall
- Young plants require regular watering.
Charactoristics + Behaviours:
- Golden Pea is a evergreen shrub/small tree.
- Growing to 14m tall with a 2m to 6m spread.
- Small yellow flowers in Spring
- Self-mulching.
- A shallow root system makes it easy to remove if necessary
- sprinkle of good compost around the base of the plant annually in spring.
Design Function:
- Has a dense foliage to help support habitat for small birds.
- Due to its height and spread it creates a fantastic low level wind break + shelterbelt or screen
- Can be used to help create microclimates
- Can be planted around trees to help provide fertility
- Small animals can use it for shade.
- Provides erosion control and builds soil.
- Can be used as a cover crop
- Makes a great living trellis
- Is a fantastic Insectary/nectary plant (bees, nesting birds, butterfly larvae)
- Great fodder for animals
- Self-replicating mulch
Products:
- Grows quickly and provides lots of organic material.
- Structure and flowers provide food and home for insects and birds
- Mulch (Chop and drop)
- Animal fodder
Ecological Function:
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- Golden Pea grows quickly helping to create a screen or wind break
- Golden Pea builds organic matter which helps nourishes soil.
- Using Golden Pea as a companion helps build soil fertility.
- Habitat for small birds, bees and butterfly larvae which frequent the garden.
- Fodder for insects and other animals
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