TRACIE DYSON OLD TREES NEVER DIE

Swinburne University Of Technology

“UGH, JUST GET RID OF IT” … OR ARE WE THROWING OUT SOMETHING MORE PRECIOUS?

An old, dead tree leads us to wonder why it has not been removed. After years of critically important service to the health of our Earth, are we grateful?

Can it still offer something unique and valuable?

> Representing our shared human story, old trees … and people, provide solid foundations for the establishment of resilient new generations. New life springing from ancient wisdom with a sense of balanced growth. An openness to learning cooperative new ways together leads to the development of wiser new ideas that will preserve ecologies and sustain resources for future generations

> Promise (water nest sculpture) – the egg embryo, sheltered and nurtured by the elders, and absorbing all knowledge of the past, will one day carry history's lessons forward with strength, resilience and a more compassionate vision.

> Climate-hardy trees, shrubs and grasses, matched to local conditions, evoke a sense of generational permanence and belonging together in this place. Soft metallic tones, natural forms and contrasting foliage textures demonstrate the harmonies between diverse peoples and the rich and precious earth we all stand on.

KEYBOTANICAL NAMECOMMON NAME

LeMo Leptospermum morrisonii Burgundy Tea Tree ‘Burgundy‘

PoLa Poa labillardieri ‘Eskdale’Eskdale Tussock Grass

AuDu Austromyrtus dulchis Midyim Berry ‘Copper Tops’

HeRJ Helichrysum ‘Red Jewel’Red Jewel Everlasting

DiTa Dianella tasmanica ‘Blaze’Purple Flax Lily

GrBR Grevillea ‘Bronze Racer’Bronze Racer Grevillea

DiCa Dianella caerulea Blue Flax Lily ‘Cassa Blue’

EuPo Eucalyptus polyanthemos Red Box

CaQu Calothamnus quadrifidis One-sided Bottlebrush (Grey Form)

CoBa Cordyline banksii Forest Cabbage Tree ‘Electric Flash’

ErGl Eremophila glabra Beryl’s Blue Emu Bush ‘Beryl’s Blue’

TrLa Tristaniopsis laurina Dwarf Water Gum ‘Burgundy Blush’

Native tubestock decorating the tree includes:

Viola hederaceae Native Violet

Dichondra repens Kidney Plant

Scaevola aemula Fan Flower

Bachyscombe multifida Cut-Leaf Daisy

Pandorea pandoreana Wonga Vine

Mosses & lichens