The arrival of spring and its botanical impact
With the progressive warming and the new breath that the summer brings, the flora of Barcelona is transformed, and among the species that stand out there are foreign trees that bring a colorful vibrant to the city. One of the most spectacular is the Australian oak, which gives us an exceptional flowering during this period.
Features of Australian oak
Located in the heart of the city, the Australian oak (Grevillea Robusta) is presented as a majestic tree, which can reach heights ranging from 18 to 35 meters, with specimens in Australia reaching 50 meters. Surprisingly, this tree is not a true oak of the genus Quercus, but rather a species imported from southeastern Australia, adapted to various climatic conditions, including periods of drought and cold temperatures that can fall to -8 ºC.
A floral show
The flowering of Australian oak is really a visual spectacle. Between mid -May and June, its tubular flowers, with yellow and golden shades, gather in groups that can measure up to 18 cm long. This unique feature causes the flowers to look like a brush, thus attracting the gaze of all those who stroll around the city.
The attraction for fauna
One of the most fascinating qualities of this tree is its ability to produce a large amount of nectar, becoming a source of food for bees and other pollinating insects. However, only the specimens over the age of ten show this lush flowering.
Australian oak fruits and wood
The fruits of this tree are in the form of arc, black and with a length of about two centimeters. As winter approaches, these fruits decompose and release seeds that the wind dispersed, helping their reproduction.
A valued material
Australian oak wood is known for its quality and durability, moisture resistant and a slow decomposition. This property makes it ideal for the manufacture of musical instruments, including the guitar, contributing a characteristic tone to music.
Where to discover Australian oaks in Barcelona
In Barcelona, we can find specimens of this tree at various strategic points. One of the most prominent is a 17-meter tree located on Via Augusta, dating to 1914, as well as others located in the Human Rights Gardens in Sants-Montjuïc. You can also see it on Badajoz Street, in Bilbao Street, in Tangier Street, and in several other roads such as Clot, Avenida de Vallcarca and the streets of Morocco and Les Corts.