User Profile

Kieran Tapsell

Tree of the Month: Native Peach

Trema tomentosa (Native Peach) can grow into a small shrub or tree, and grows right throughout the Illawarra area, within rainforest and on the coastal plain. When small it is easily confused with lantana because of the similar serrated shape and...

Kieran Tapsell

November 2024

Science & Nature

Tree of the Month: The Alexander Palm

By Kieran Tapsell, of Banksia Bushcare Alexander Palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) is indigenous to northern NSW and Queensland, but it thrives in frost-free areas further south, and has been planted widely in the Illawarra. It is a cousin of the...

Kieran Tapsell

September 2024

Science & Nature

Tree of the Month: Bangalow Palm

By Kieran Tapsell, of Banksia Bushcare Archontophoenix cunninghamiana (Bangalow Palm) can be found in colonies along the escarpment, but they are not as common as the Cabbage Tree Palm. That may be because they are generally killed by fire. Cabbage...

Kieran Tapsell

July 2024

Science & Nature

Tree of the Month: Water Gum

Tristaniopsis laurina (Water Gum) grows prolifically in the Stanwell Creek area where it can reach 15 metres. It also appears along the escarpment, and the Royal National Park, usually at the heads of watercourses. Its range is from south-east...

Kieran Tapsell

June 2024

Science & Nature

Tree of the Month: Red Cedar

Toona Ciliata (Red Cedar) is famous for its furniture timber. It also has a bloody history with the arrival of the first cedar cutters in the Illawarra in 1810 and the subsequent conflict with the Aboriginal people. Most of the cedars were cut down...

Kieran Tapsell

May 2024

Science & Nature

Woo-hoo! Powerful Owl returns to Stanwell Park

From time to time at Stanwell Park we are woken up by the screech of a train, a police or ambulance siren, mufferless motorbikes and someone doing wheelies in the parking areas. But it is not often you are woken at 3am by a powerful owl less than 50...

Kieran Tapsell

April 2024

Science & Nature

Tree of the Month: Blue Lilly Pilly

Syzygium oleosum (Blue Lilly Pilly) is common in the northern part of the Illawarra escarpment. It is mainly found in the rainforests of the plateau and occasionally on the higher reaches. It is mostly a spindly bush, but it can grow to 10 metres...

Kieran Tapsell

March 2024

Science & Nature

Tree of the Month: Brush Cherry

Syzygium australe (Brush Cherry) This Lilly Pilly is common throughout the Wollongong area, but does not quite reach Stanwell Park naturally. It usually occurs in creeks on the lower half of the escarpment but can also be found on the western part...

Kieran Tapsell

February 2024

Science & Nature

Tree of the Month: Sloanea australis (aka Maiden’s Blush)

Sloanea australis (Maiden’s Blush) is a rainforest tree extending throughout the Wollongong area, including Stanwell Park. It is more commonly found along the watercourses of the escarpment. It can grow to about 15 metres. It has large dark green...

Kieran Tapsell

January 2024

Science & Nature

Tree of the Month: Pencil Cedar

Pencil Cedar (Polyscias murrayi) has a large central stem about six metres long and with large pinnate leaves radiating from it, giving a kind of umbrella canopy. It can reach 30 metres and is easily to spot. It is generally found in the rainforest...

Kieran Tapsell

December 2023

Science & Nature

Tree of the Month: Elderberry Panax

As there are no other examples within the Reserve, they most likely regenerated from seed dropped by birds, probably Currawongs, which also like to feed on the fruits of its more abundant cousin, Celery Wood (Polyscias elegans)

Kieran Tapsell

November 2023

Science & Nature

Tree of the Month: Celery Wood

Polyscias elegans (Celery Wood) Celery Wood is common along the Illawarra escarpment. It often comes up as a small plant from seed probably dropped by currawongs and bower birds that feed on the fruits during the summer season. The deer eat it when...

Kieran Tapsell

October 2023

Clubs & Community

Feed the dinosaur addiction at Banksia Bushcare’s Stanwell Park trail

Given the scientific evidence that dinosaur addiction produces smart kids, I made dinosaur hatchlings from 15 different species emerging from cracked eggs in the Baby Dinosaur Exhibition in the Reserve. Many new dinosaur species are discovered each...

Kieran Tapsell

September 2023

Science & Nature

Tree of the Month: Cabbage Tree Palm

The Cabbage Tree Palm (Livistona australis) is the most common palm throughout the Illawarra. They are fan palms, instantly recognisable even in their different forms throughout South-East Asia. There are about 20 different species of Liviston...

Kieran Tapsell

September 2023