Celebrate National Tree Day with our golden emblem

Wattle Trees

The wattle trees are brandishing their many shades of gold

The blizzards of the mountains crack the granite, with their cold,

They roar across the mountains, like a wave across the sea

And the yellow-foaming wattle keeps the love alight in me.

Denis Kevans

It’s National Tree Day on Sunday 1 August. While we can’t celebrate like usual by coming together to plant trees, you can do your bit by appreciating the trees in your own backyard, your street, your local park or nearby bushland.

Our bushland reserves are currently ablaze with golden beauty that is our native wattle. And with Australia’s current success at the Olympics, it seems that the wattle has timed its run perfectly to cheer on our Aussie team with green and gold perfection.

Wattles have long held special meaning for Australians. In 1988 the Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) was officially gazetted as Australia's national floral emblem.

While we don’t see much of the cold-climate Golden Wattle around here, there are many different types of wattle across the Beaches. The most common is the Sydney Golden Wattle (Acacia longifolia) with its abundance of bright yellow flowers that look a bit like the end of a pipe-cleaner.  You may also see Coastal Wattle (Acacia sophorae), also with yellow flowers and its mini spikes and Black Wattle (Callicoma serratifolia) that has the lovely small pom pom balls in a very light yellow.

There are many other species of wattle you might see in your travels across the area, including:

Sunshine Wattle (Acacia terminalis)

Flax-leaved Wattle (Acacia linifolia)

Sweet-scented Wattle (Acacia suaveolens)

Myrtle Wattle (Acacia myrtifolia)

Hickory Wattle (Acacia implexa)

On National Tree Day, we acknowledge the tireless work of our many Bushcare volunteers across the Northern Beaches who propagate, plant and maintain native trees and look after our natural areas year-round. Without their energy and effort, we wouldn’t have as many beautiful spots to enjoy during this lockdown. We encourage everyone to get out and appreciate their local trees this National Tree Day.

Interested in becoming an Environmental volunteer? Find out more here.