Bill Dixon has cultivated a rainforest garden on a ridge in South Springwood. He talks about how growing rainforest species can be an adaptive response to local climate conditions.
Key Points:
Bill Dixon, a Blue Mountains resident with expertise in natural systems management, has a garden filled with rainforest species.
Bill believes rainforest gardens can be an adaptation strategy for a changing climate, providing shade and cooler temperatures.
Rainforest species may also help mitigate against ember attack in bushfires due to their dense foliage and less flammable leaves.
Bill Dixon has spent a lifetime involved with biology and natural systems management. He and his family have lived in the Blue Mountains for more than 25 years. Before they moved to Springwood, they lived near Excelsior Reserve in Northmead. Their block faced north and it was hot, so Bill started to plant rainforest species “to air condition the joint”. By the time they left, he had amassed over 150 different species.
In Springwood, he has 84 species growing. In the front garden these are mainly shrub level, but there are also mid-canopy species such as tulip wood, white cedar and Lepiderema pulchella, commonly known as fine-leaved tuckeroo. There are various edible species such as native peach, native guava, lilly pillies and citrus, including finger limes. It’s a hot day, but the air is cool and moist under the shade of the tulip woods.
Mature tulip woods (centre).
Bill brought some rainforest species form Northmead and planted them in 1996/97, such as the tulip woods on the drive. Most of the species in his current garden come from NSW, but there are a few from Queensland. Plants have also been sourced locally from the Glenbrook Australia Plant Society Nursery and Plant Rescue in Katoomba. Bill has germinated a wide variety of plants too.
The risk of fire
Like many of us in the Mountains, Bill is aware of the potential for fire. He says that when it comes to the destruction of homes, around 80% are lost through ember attack. Other causes include radiant heat from fire, direct flame contact, heat that creates differences in pressure inside and outside a building and strong winds.
Architect and fire expert Nigel Bell says there are various ways that embers can lead to ignition. These include direct contact with combustible materials, entry through small gaps in a building’s structure, the lighting of nearby materials and sparks entering roof cavities from gutters and at the eaves.
Various techniques can be used to mitigate against these causes. These include installing gutter guards that keep leaves from accumulating and ember guards that cover small entry points, particularly those that enable sparks or embers to enter roof cavities.
Nigel recommends that separating the most flammable vegetation (including trees) away from the house is a key firewise garden strategy.
For more information about how to prepare your home for fire check out the fact sheets on the RFS website here
Experimenting with rainforest planting
Bill tells me his rainforest garden is an experiment. In Springwood he’s learned how to grow rainforest species on a sandstone ridge. He’s also been thinking for some time about the relationship between fire factors such as ember attack and vegetation species near or around buildings.
His views have been developed over decades. They’re informed by his scientific background, witnessing the 2001, 2013 and 2019/20 fires and his work history, notably seven years as Manager at Local Land Services.
Bill’s expertise is highly sought after. He is currently the Chair of National Parks and Wildlife Service’s Regional Advisory Committee (Blue Mountains Branch), also sitting on their World Heritage Advisory Committee and on the Advisory Committee of Blue Mountains City Council’s Planetary Health Initiative.
Fire resistance of rainforest species
He thinks that rainforest plantings can in some circumstances mitigate against fire, mainly ember attack. “Rainforest canopy species have densely packed foliage and less flammable leaves than eucalypts. In general, this makes them more effective ember screens.”
Bill tells me that rainforest leaves are less woody than eucalypt species. “They transpire more vigorously and are more water rich.” he says. This means they can absorb greater radiant heat than dry sclerophyll species before they burn, resisting fire for longer.”
One of the ways embers start localised fires is by igniting combustible materials. Bill says that rainforest species combined with planting arrangements can reduce the amount of combustible matter and increase the water content of what remains.
“Because rainforest species are densely packed – sometimes more than one plant per square metre – they can reduce the ability of embers getting into the leaf litter. Rainforest leaf litter is also quite different and less flammable than dry sclerophyll species.”
A combination of eucalypt, but predominantly rainforest leaf litter.
Compared to rainforest leaf litter, eucalypt species drop leaves that are woody and form loose piles. Bill says this means it’s more difficult for decomposers such fungi to break them down. There is more oxygen available in the litter to feed fire too.
Many rainforest species drop and rapidly regrow leaves all year round. Because they are less woody and not so nutrient rich, they decompose more easily. This reduces the amount of fuel on the ground and keeps the soil moist.
Bill has a mix of rainforest and dry sclerophyll canopy species in his garden including bloodwoods and eucalypts. He’s noticed that rainforest leaf litter aids in breaking down woodier leaves. He’s very clear though that the best method of reducing leaf litter ignition is to remove it all together.
He says one of the interesting features of rainforest plantings is how they create their own microclimate. Shade and evaporative cooling increase humidity and decrease temperature. This can increase soil moisture.
On balance, these factors make rainforest species more resilient against bushfire than forests consisting of species such as eucalyptus, tea trees, banksias and grasses. On a larger scale, this could mean rainforest better resist flame and radiant heat attack. On a smaller scale it might limit the extent of ember incursions and point at which materials ignite.
Densely packed rainforest species. 22 in a 6m by 3m plot.
Bill thinks that in our evolving fire landscape we should look at all the ways we can mitigate against the impacts of bushfire. He doesn’t think that planting rainforest species alone is the solution, or that we should not use traditional methods of fire prevention. The combination of water tanks and a generator/pump to wet down property and extinguish spot fires or gutter guards are tested measures to prevent and defend.
Further discussion
Bill’s views are supported by academic research and experts in the field of fire management and mitigation. One of these is Chris Brack, Associate professor (Honorary) at Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University.
Chris says that tree ‘screens’ can be very effective wind breaks and so slow down or block wind-blown embers. “These screens are ideally semi-porous, so they don’t cause chaotic turbulence on the down-wind side but still cause any airborne embers to fall early. This works when the trees are far enough away from the buildings.”
He also thinks that keeping trees watered can be an effective fire mitigator. Greywater is an excellent source of water for this purpose. Chris says, “Watering can reduce the quantity of dead and dry leaves that can become fuel. It may increase decomposition of ground litter and may increase the relative humidity (RH) as the trees can continue to transpire.”
He continues, “High RH is one of the factors that results in a hot fire. Rainforest species don’t tend to stop transpiring even under harsh conditions that may lead to death, but if the water can be kept up it will also reduce the harshness of those conditions. So, a forest barrier of well-watered rainforest species may improve things with little risk of making them worse.” The caveat is trees that are consumed by a ladder fire that has made it into the canopy. When a fire is big enough and hot enough, the options to fight it are limited.
Bill agrees. “When thinking about the effectiveness of fire mitigation strategies, it’s important to know what kind of fire exposure is being discussed. For example, a screen of rainforest trees might be effective at catching embers of a particular size, but might burn if exposed directly to a sclerophyll-fuelled crown fire.”
Climate change hope
Bill says that climate change will be characterised by persistence as much as loss. He says we need to focus on minimising loss, but that change is inevitable. “We have to focus on what quality can be retained that still makes natural systems really worthwhile to work with, even if we lose iconic things.”
While at Land Services he ran workshops about climate change adaptability for policy makers. He says management is intrinsically conservative and based on best practice, but this is problematic when it comes to climate change. “We’re going into uncharted territory, so we need to look to the future and think about potential solutions.”
He gives the example of being a proponent of only revegetating with provenance species. “Climate change means climate zones are moving. Mixing up plant genetics by anticipating future change is an adaptation strategy. In fact, the CSIRO has a climate projection tool. It enables you to put in a date and location and it will provide you with a comparable current location.”
Bill knows from experience that growing rainforest species on the Blue Mountains plateau requires care, but he says that humans have always grown plants for their own uses. “Look at the gardens in Leura and people’s vegetable patches. We don’t think twice about augmenting the local growing conditions whether it’s nutrients or water. It’s just that using plants and landscape design to mitigate against bushfire risk is a relatively new idea in the public consciousness, but it’s something we should explore.”
Understanding the flammability of different plants
Consider planting suitable rainforest plants that can create a cooler microclimate and potentially offer some fire mitigation benefits, especially from embers. Bill Dixon’s experience shows it can be done even in non-rainforest areas with proper care.
Learn more about fire mitigation strategies for your region – research and implement a variety of fire mitigation strategies based on your specific area’s recommendations.
Find out about the best native plants for bushfire prone locations with this BMCC resource
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
A huge thank you to Richard Burrell from Muru Mittigar Native Nursery who delivered us the following edible natives to sell at our Food Security Fair on Saturday 18th October:
Apple Berry Finger Lime Mat Rush Lomandra longifolia Midgen Berry Native Leek Native Parsnip Native Raspberry Female and male Pepper Berry Vanilla Lily Yam Daisy
You can view the full program for the Food Security Fair here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nOSJle
We`re thrilled that EarthRising Mushroom Farm will be at the Blue Mountains Food Security Fair this Sat 18 Oct with their fabulous fresh mushrooms, mushroom grow kits and other mushroom products. Alex can help you get started on mushroom growing and let you know more about the mushroom compost you can pick up from the Farm in Lawson. View the full program for the day here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nOSJle The Fair is at the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre: 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba (former Katoomba Golf Course)
Such an amazing program for the Food Security Fair at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba on Sat 18 Oct: from the renowned Holly Davis, co-founder of Iku, and author of Ferment, giving a hands on demonstration of how to preserve and increase the health and deliciousness of food through fermentation, to Dr Milena Bojovic from UTS on the Future of Food! Dr Teya Brooks Pribac from Plant Inspired will demonstrate innovative plant based cooking techniques, Michael from Good Fat Pastry will share baking innovations, Marnee Fox from Forage to Feast will share how to use Wild Edibles, seed saver extraordinaire Lloyd Sharp from Mid Blue Mountains Seed Savers will share his amazing expertise and launch the Upper Blue Mountains Seed Savers and Gardening Group, Manu Prigioni from Farm it Forward will discuss equity and nutrition security and Farm it Forward’s response to the National Food Security Strategy document, Erin Hall will provide a hands-on Weaving with Weeds workshop, and Nev Sweeney will share how to build and use a solar food dehydrator. Places are limited so bookings essential here (link in profile @bluemountainsplanetaryhealth : https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or... This event has been supported by an Australian Association for Environmental Education sEEd grant.
Social enterprise @farmitforward is working to increase local food security one backyard after another, and with young people at Katoomba High School. At the Food Security Fair on Sat 18 Oct, co-founder Manu Prigioni will speak about Incorporating equity and nutrition security in discussions on food security: Farm It Forward’s response to the National Food Security Strategy document. Reserve your spot for her presentation here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nOSJle Read more about Manu and Farm it Forward in Katoomba Area Local News here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/46PTAfF
Join seed saver extraordinaire Lloyd Sharp, from Mid Blue Mountains Seed Savers, as we launch the Upper Blue Mountains Seed Saving and Gardening group at the Food Security Fair on Sat 18 October. Lloyd will share some of his extensive seed saving experience, and there will be an opportunity to purchase and share local seeds and plants. Huge thanks to Happy Valley Seeds for donating heirloom seeds and discount cards, and to @thediggersclub for generously donating Vegetable and Flower Sowing Guides and their 2025/2026 Heirloom Seed Annual. There will be one for every attendee! The Food Security Fair is being held at the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba and the Seed Saving presentation is at 10.20am. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
Nev Sweeney, renowned permaculture teacher and practitioner, from Under the Choko Tree, will be leading a workshop on how to build and use a solar food dehydrator at the Blue Mountains Food Security Fair on Saturday 18 Oct. Nev will talk about why food dehydration is a good idea, some techniques that can be used to dry food, pretreat or not to pretreat, general tips and considerations about food drying, drying fruit and veg, testing for dryness and using dried produce. He will explain how he made a simple direct solar food dryer and a more complex indirect solar food dryer. Reserve your spot here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
Planetary Health volunteer, American permaculture teacher Susan Krings, has been helping to organise the inaugural Blue Mountains Food Security Fair. If you`d like to learn more about volunteering at the Centre email planetaryhealth@bmcc.nsw.gov.au or ring 0407 437 553
You can purchase tickets for the Food Security Fair in Katoomba on Saturday 18 October here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-sec...
The day will include stalls, talks and demos about growing, sourcing, cooking, preserving and enjoying plant based food and protecting habitat for wildlife. The event is part of a series celebrating the centenary of World Animal Day.
The fabulous line up of speakers and workshop tutors includes Dr Milena Bojovic on the Future of Food; Holly Davis, co-founder of Iku and author of `Ferment`; Michael from Good Fat Pastry; Nev Sweeney from Under the Choko Tree on how to build a Solar Powered Food Dehydrator; Lloyd Sharp from Mid Blue Mountains Seed Savers; Marnee Fox from Forage to Feast; Teya Brooks Pribac from Plant Inspired; and Erin Hall on Weaving with Weeds and Manu Prigioni from Farm it Forward.
Stalls will include EarthRising Mushroom Farm, Bibi`s Kitchen, edible native plants, the Planetary Health Cafe and more.
Each session needs to be booked individually as numbers are strictly limited.
This event is being supported by a sEEd grant from the Australian Association for Environmental Education.
At the Food Security Fair on Sat 18th October the inspiring Teya Brooks Pribac, author of ‘Not Just Another Vegan Cookbook’ and founder of Plant Inspired, will be sharing innovative but very simple culinary techniques that can help you make delicious icecream, ‘egg` sandwiches and a wide range of cheeses without any eggs or dairy. Food that’s healthier for you and the planet. You no longer need to worry if the supermarket shelves suddenly don’t have eggs, or if you can’t afford them! There are so many cooking techniques that can help us create our favourite foods, without requiring animal products! The session will end with one of Teya’s fabulous cheese tastings. Bookings essential for this fascinating workshop here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
This event is one of a series celebrating the centenary of @worldanimalday @ph_alliance
In Marnee Fox’s session on Wild Edibles at the Blue Mountains Food Security Fair on Sat 18 October, she’ll share how to incorporate wild ingredients into your every day diet AND make it delicious. Marnee Fox is a sustainable interior decorator, stylist, foodie and weed convert. She`s also one half of Forage to Feast Australia with husband, renowned environmental educator Diego Bonetto. Building on Diego`s much-loved weed foraging workshops, Marnee takes the food found on the foraging tour to the table. Bookings essential (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
If you haven`t yet tried the deliciousness of Good Fat Pastry you`ll be in for a treat at the Food Security Fair on Sat 18 October! Join Michael, the creative baker producing these mouthwatering plant based (and mostly gluten free) treats for breakfast, where he will inspire you to rethink everything you know about baking:
"Baking is both borne and constrained by convention—as are our expectations. Since Ancient Egypt and Rome, eggs, dairy, and cereals have been used in baked goods for flavour and functionality. The enormity of cakes, pastries, biscuits, and desserts we know and love—and the countless we have no awareness of—have been discovered and created through spontaneity and experimentation. Almost always resting on the magical transformations of these key ingredients under heat and energy.
Yet as the realm of food is one of creativity and sensory inquisitiveness there are inherent possibilities for alternatives—in replicating the familiar as well as creating novelty. This path can follow the complexities of molecular gastronomy or the simple pragmatism of substituting with what`s on hand. Find whatever works for you."
Spaces are limited so bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
One of the highlights of our Food Security Fair on Sat 18th October is our Weaving with Weeds workshop at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. In this relaxing and enjoyable workshop Erin Hall will help you identify common invasive weeds that are ideal for basket making, and teach you the basic skills to weave a range of different objects. At the same time you`ll be removing and repurposing weeds that are destroying habitat for our wildlife! Places are limited so bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
We’re thrilled to announce that tickets are now available for Ferment the Season with Holly Davis at the Blue Mountains Food Security Fair on Saturday 18th October at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Holly will demonstrate how to ferment the season to create more nutrient rich and digestible food. She is the co-founder of Sydney’s Iku Wholefoods and author of ‘Ferment - A Guide to the Ancient Art of Culturing Food’ and ’Nourish: Sustenance for Body and Soul”. Learn the foundational principles and several techniques for fermenting seasonally abundant produce. Fermentation increases nutrition and eating a little ferment with every meal has unlimited benefits for our overall wellbeing and the planet! Places are limited so book early here (Food Security Fair link in profile for tickets): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
Hamish Dunlop is a writer, visual artist and environmentalist. During his career he has worked in communications, as an academic at UNSW and ACU and more recently in the conservation space. He is currently completing a Diploma in Conservation and Ecosystems Management. He lives on the bush in Medlow Bath and is a passionate bush walker, gardener and cold-water enthusiast.
Springwood resident Phillip Birtles believes that there is an essential connection between people and water. Through his work at Sydney Water, he taps into that connection, strengthening it and contributing to healthier, happier communities while simultaneously improving waterway health.
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