Albany Botanist imparts wealth of knowledge in Yakamia Forest guided walk for 2024 WA Tree Festival

Local residents were provided with insights into young and old trees on Saturday as part of WA Tree Festival events in Albany.

Participants learned interesting facts about trees from Albany Botanist Sylvia Leighton during the guided walk and were taught the difference between the similar-looking jarrah, marri, and blackbutt trees.

Ms Leighton also shared her knowledge on moodjar spirit trees, young banksia coccineas, and both species of snottygobbles.

She said it was “quite special” to the Yakamia Forest to see the two species of snottygobbles.

“We had the privilege of seeing both species of snottygobbles,” she said.

“It’s quite unusual to see them at all, let along both of them together.”

Trees in the Yakamia Forest provide vital habitat and food for a significant population of critically endangered western ring-tail possums.

Jarrah, marri, blackbutt, and sheoak tree nuts are an important source of food for endangered Carnaby’s, Baudin’s and forest red-tailed black cockatoos.

Guided walks were run collaboratively by Friends of Yakamia Forest Boodja and the Oyster Harbour Catchment Group.