How First Nations people created southern WA's water trees

September 9, 2023 8:46 PM

How ancient horticulture helped First Nations people create southern Western Australia's water trees. Pruned and trimmed for hundreds of years by the region's Menang traditional owners, these unique marri trees provide a critical source of water.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries (5 comments total)

This is amazing chariot!, thanks for posting, I'll go off and read.
posted by unearthed at 12:09 AM on September 10, 2023

I wonder if they did any kind of maintenance to remove dirt and any other detritus that made it's way in. I've seen a few trees that would do this, and the water inside was usually pretty dark and unappealing. Nothing was said about whether trees resistant to rotting were favored for this in particular. Overall an interesting practice though.
posted by ockmockbock at 7:31 AM on September 10, 2023

whether trees resistant to rotting

If you’re not familiar with WA trees, you might think Marri refers to the water hole pruning practice instead of identifying the specific tree, Corymbia calophylla. I wonder if the high tannin content of the sap is what makes marri suitable for this application.
posted by zamboni at 7:59 AM on September 10, 2023 [3 favorites]

That clears a lot up zamboni, thank you.
posted by ockmockbock at 12:42 PM on September 10, 2023

Oh! Wow, I’ve seen this in red gums along the Bibbulmen track down near Walpole, on Menang country. I had no idea it was horticulture practice making these. Great post, thanks cpbc
posted by honey-barbara at 2:17 AM on September 13, 2023 [2 favorites]