Wonderful as are the “giant” trees in WA’s southwest, their forests’ understorey is every bit as splendid, and is also unique.
WA has a remarkable number of magnificent, large, endemic tree species.
Within some stretches of “karri forest”, all of the really huge trees are karris.
Otherwise, however, WA’s tall forests are usually crowned by more than one species.
For example, in so-called “jarrah forest”, the dominant tall trees are usually a mix of jarrah and marri.
So-called “red tingle forest” is likely to be crowned by more than one tingle species, interspersed with karri.
The understorey in southwest WA’s tall forests is usually very beautiful, relatively “open”, and enormously richer in floral diversity than any coniferous forest’s.
Pictured is the “hero” understorey tree in WA’s cooler, wetter forests: Allocasuarina decussata, commonly known as karri oak or karri she-oak.
When even a modest breeze blows, this species’ sound becomes as lovely as its appearance.
This southwest WA endemic also grows in much drier wooded places, where it becomes a deal smaller, less elegant, more gnarly.
(All “threatened giants” photos are copyright Doug Spencer. They were taken on the Giant Tingle Tree loop walk, 11 February 2025)
Comments