HomeGhost Tree Gully

Ghost Tree Gully

Location:

Black Hill Conservation Park

Area:

60.9Ha

Established:

1990

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Site Description

Ghost Tree Gully project site sweeps up from the western edge of Black Hill conservation park to the back of the highest Sugarloaf hill. It encompasses a creekline dominated by river red gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and South Australian blue gums (Eucalyptus leucoxylon) which is surrounded by grassy woodlands. It leads up the gully to a mixed stringybark/eucalyptus woodland with a complex vegetation mix of herbaceous plants in a higher rainfall area. Much of the grassy area was previously subject to grazing and has become dominated by introduced grasses.

What this project protects

At the top of the gully there is an incredible mix of rarer herbaceous plants including sticky boobialla, rock logania and the cypress daisy-bush. While much of the area has been modified, there remains a healthy population of native hollyhock, (Malva preissiana) rated as near threatened in the Mount Lofty Ranges and there continues to be a variety of orchids in the project area. The area is a buffer to some of the highest quality remnant vegetation in the park and is home to many mammal species such as western grey kangaroos, short beaked echinda and possums as well as a range of small threatened woodland birds.

Short Beaked Echidna

Our Focus

This project has two weed species which threaten the structure of the woodland and as such are the highest priority for containment, removal and treatment.
Our highest concern is eradication of the bulb chincherinkee (Ornithogalum thyrsodies). It has great potential to invade high quality vegetation, and excludes all other herbaceous plants and orchids. The location the Ornithogalum is invading has many orchids and fern in winter so controlling it is essential to protect this area. If ever you see any flowering in any of the parks please send us a message.

Work on the Ornithogalum is seasonal, so when they are not able to be treated our priority becomes controlling the scattered olives. The olives are a serious pest plant in the Adelaide Hills, able to invade native bush and spread to form a dense mid story layer, robbing the soil of nutrients and water, surrounding native trees and if left long enough causing the eventual collapse of the ecosystem.

Ornithogalum Thyrsodies

Donations to the Black Hill Free a Tree project will save significant trees and help connect this project site with the Ambers Gully Project.

Donate Now

How to get involved

The group works at different project sites the last Sunday of every month. You can check out all our upcoming events on our calendar or contact us if you have a particular interest in this site.

Upcoming Events

Volunteer Stories

Hi my name is Phil and I have been volunteering with the Friends since they started 34 years ago. I became involved through my Club the Kiwanis Club of Athelstone and in the early years many members of my Club were out on working bees with me across different project sites. I enjoy working in the Parks with like-minded people and helping to try and eradicate problem plants that threaten our native species. It is satisfying to see the positive results of our efforts over many years.

Hi my name is Alex and I started volunteering with the FOBHM in 2020. I've always been passionate about conservation, and wanted to get involved with local projects. Ghost Tree Gully is a beautiful site, and helping clear out invasive vegetation is very rewarding. It's fantastic to get outside and actively help maintain the parks I enjoy so much, with a great group of people helping out.