From wild growth to valuable lumber – one local group is turning the tide on feral olive trees (Olea europea) and showing the artistic potential of this invasive weed.
In a fusion of sustainability, environmental responsibility and craftsmanship, members of Southern Turners are crafting exceptional pieces from feral olive trees removed by the City of Onkaparinga.
Since April, the group has been turning the wood into roughed-out bowls, platters, urns, vases, pendants and mallets, which will be gifted to people or donated to not-for-profits.
“Mature olive wood is highly figured and easy to turn, resulting in very attractive pieces,” explains Southern Turners member John Tillack.
“It’s one of the more forgiving woods when it comes to being turned and gives instant gratification as the shape takes place.
“It is great for beginners, unlike many Australian native timbers which are among the hardest in the world.
Of course, like any wood, there are challenges too.
“Olive is particularly prone to cracking. Cracks can be disguised with a combination of sawdust and glue or highlighted as a feature using coloured epoxy or burning the wood with a pyrography pen,” adds John.
“This is what makes each piece unique.”
Southern Turners is just one of the groups making use of the feral olive trees the council has removed from roadsides.
Several McLaren Vale wineries are piloting biochar on their vineyards – a carbon-rich form of charcoal made from olive trees. It’s put into the soil to help retain nutrients, improve soil structure and increase water-holding capacity.
The Clarendon Community Association has also jumped on board, holding an olive harvesting day to make litres of the golden oil.
The feral olive trees are being removed from roadsides by the council as part of its 3-year Bushfire Preparedness and Resilience Project.
The bushy, pest plant – which grows up to 12m tall – is highly combustible, making it a significant bushfire hazard.
It also displaces local species, suppresses the growth of ground-cover plants and degrades fauna habitat.
The plant is primarily spread by birds and mammals seeking out the seeds from the oil-rich fruit. Seeds can also be transported in contaminated soil through earthworks and dumped green waste.
Feral olive is a declared weed under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, however trees planted and maintained for domestic, public amenity or commercial purposes are not declared.
Onkaparinga’s Bushfire Preparedness Project Officer Joel Caddy says the initiative is a great example of the council and community working together to address environmental challenges.
“We’re proud of the work we’ve done along rural roadsides and reserves to help control feral olive trees” Joel says.
“The work has lowered the risk of fires, improved visibility for traffic and provided a better environment for native vegetation to thrive.
“The city’s land size – coupled with the fast-spreading nature of feral olive trees – means there’s still much work to do on public land by the council and other government departments, and on private land by landholders.”
Residents who’d like to remove feral olive trees from their land are encouraged to contact the Hills Fleurieu Landscape Board for advice on properly controlling the trees before removal.
“Olive trees store energy at the base of their trunks and this woody mass can reshoot years after being cut down,” Joel explained.
To find out more about the council’s Bushfire Preparedness and Resilience Project online or call the bushfire preparedness project officer on 8384 0666.
For more information on Southern Turners visit southernturners.com or call Mark on 0448 115 362. The group meets on the first Saturday of the month from 10am to 4pm in the technical studies building of the Aberfoyle Park High School.
IMAGE: Southern Turners members Brian Nykiel, John Tillack, Simon Bagshaw and Mark Whyte.