fruit tree species
The types of fruit trees that grow on roadsides in temperate Australia include plum, apple, loquat, peach, chestnut and fig.
Some of these species are officially considered to be weeds, while others are not.
What is a weed?
In Australia, the government's official definition of a weed is extraordinarily broad.
'A weed is any plant that requires some form of action to reduce its effect on the economy, the environment, human health and amenity.'
All plants affect the economy, the environment, human health and amenity. Therefore, strictly speaking, by this definition any plant is a weed. Indeed many Australian native plants now fall into the 'weed' category.
The effect of fruit trees such a apple and plum on human health, amenity, the environment and the economy is to improve them all.
In the environment, fruit trees act as bushfire retardants and provide food for native wildlife whose habitat has been cleared.
Some of these species are officially considered to be weeds, while others are not.
What is a weed?
In Australia, the government's official definition of a weed is extraordinarily broad.
'A weed is any plant that requires some form of action to reduce its effect on the economy, the environment, human health and amenity.'
All plants affect the economy, the environment, human health and amenity. Therefore, strictly speaking, by this definition any plant is a weed. Indeed many Australian native plants now fall into the 'weed' category.
The effect of fruit trees such a apple and plum on human health, amenity, the environment and the economy is to improve them all.
In the environment, fruit trees act as bushfire retardants and provide food for native wildlife whose habitat has been cleared.