Rainforest Trees: Timber, History & Creating the Rainforest Garden
Kevin Ahearn and Robert “The Mountain Man” Wilson are returning to Trevallan for another afternoon exploring our incredible rainforest trees. Where they came from, how they shaped our local history and how we can bring a little of that rainforest magic into our own gardens.
And while we have explored this subject with Kevin and Robert before, no two talks with these two are ever quite the same. Different stories emerge, different plants are available, different pieces of timber come out and, inevitably, the conversation heads somewhere we weren’t expecting.
Kevin will take us back into the rainforests of Ipswich and surrounding districts, sharing the stories of local rainforest species, the region’s logging history and the extraordinary timbers these forests produced.
We’ll look beyond simply identifying trees and explore why particular timbers became so highly valued, for furniture, carving, cabinetry, construction and everyday life and what makes some of these timbers so rare to see today. Kevin will also bring along examples of his own work and salvaged timber, giving us the opportunity to see, touch and appreciate these beautiful woods up close.
Then Robert will bring the rainforest into the garden.
Using plants currently available here at Trevallan, Robert will explore how to create the feeling of a rainforest without necessarily having acres of land or an established forest in your backyard.
He’ll look at the layers that make a rainforest feel like a rainforest, canopy trees, understory shrubs, ferns, orchids and groundcovers, along with the use of logs, stone, water, texture and foliage to create that cool, immersive feeling.
Because creating a rainforest garden isn't about buying a collection of rainforest plants. It is about understanding how a rainforest works.
Part local history, part timber and craftsmanship, part horticulture and part live garden design, this is an afternoon celebrating the incredible connection between trees, people, gardens and place.
And even if you joined us last time, I suspect Kevin and Robert will have plenty more stories, plants and rabbit holes for us to disappear down this time around.
Workshop Details
Saturday 10th October
10am - 1pm
$45 pp
Rainforest Trees, Timber and Local History with Kevin Ahearn
Before the garden comes the forest.
Join local timber craftsman, author and historian Kevin Ahearn as he shares the story of rainforest trees from Ipswich and the surrounding districts, the species that once shaped the landscape, the timber industry, and the homes, furniture and tools of early Queensland.
In this fascinating and down-to-earth talk, Kevin will explore the unique qualities of different rainforest timbers, from those prized for carving and craftsmanship to those valued for furniture, tables and practical use. Along the way, he will weave in the rich logging history of the region, offering insight into the trees that were once abundant, the uses they served, and why so many of these timbers are now rarely seen.
This is a chance to gain a deeper appreciation not only for our local rainforest heritage, but also for the rarity and beauty of working with these remarkable woods today.
Creating a Rainforest Garden with Robert Wilson
Join Horticulturalist Robert Wilson, known to many as The Mountain Man, as he explores how to recreate the lush beauty of the rainforest in your own garden. In this engaging and practical presentation, Robert will share the secrets of designing and planting a rainforest-style garden, from selecting plants for texture and colour to creating layered plantings that mimic the rainforest edge. Learn how to combine ferns, orchids, understory shrubs and trees with natural elements such as mossy logs, boulders and water to create a rich, immersive garden space. Whether you have a small shaded corner or a large property, discover how to bring the magic of the rainforest home.
Robert will have a small selection of Native Rainforest Plants available for sale on the day