Golden Pea – Daviesia arborea

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:

• • 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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