Tree Ferns

What Is a Tree Fern?

The Rough Tree Fern is one of the tallest growing tree ferns in Australia. They have been known to grow over 12 metres tall. They are also the most common tree fern and can tolerate higher exposure to the sun than the Soft Tree Fern. The Rough Tree Fern is well named, as the trunk is covered with pointed tubercles, making it rough to touch. This makes it easy to distinguish from other tree fern varieties. The fronds also have a sharp texture on the base of the stems. The fronds are popular with Lyrebirds and possums, often nesting in the centre of the crown. The unrolling new fronds are a delicacy enjoyed by rosellas and possums.

The Soft tree fern can develop a large trunk, over 15 metres tall, reaching greater heights than its relative the Rough Tree Fern. The trunk is covered with brown fibrous roots. Smooth frond stems with soft brown hairs sprout from the top of the trunk. The fronds can grow up to 2 metres long. Soft Tree Ferns thrive in filtered sunlight, loose well drained soils with lots of organic matter and plenty of water. In specimens growing under dense canopies in forest gullies, the trunks are often bent reflecting earlier impacts of fallen trees and limbs from the upper canopy. Epiphytic (plants that grow on other plants, relying on them for mechanical support but not for nutrients) ferns grow on the trunks of the Soft Tree Fern.

Where Do Tree Ferns Grow?

Tree ferns are common to Australia from Tasmania in the south to northern Queensland.

Rough and Soft Tree Ferns prefer a cool, moist, shady, humid habitat and can be found in bushland, rainforests, near streams and waterfall environments. They love the dappled light created by a tree canopy or larger shrubs.

Want to Know More?

www.anbg.gov.au/flora/ (click on orchids)