Currency Creek Arboretum

The Currency Creek Arboretum is located in the Australian state of South Australia near the small town of Currency Creek and south of the Adelaide city centre. CCA is a 32ha specialist Eucalypt arboretum and research centre, composed solely of Australian native plants.Privately owned and operated, CCA is open by appointment only and does not charge entry fees. Run by volunteers, there is no paid staff.HistoryDr. Dean Nicolle began looking for land between Mount Compass and Strathalbyn in 1990 to create an arboretum. The specific soil type he was looking for had to be well-drained, limestone-free, and with a neutral or slightly acidic pH. CCA was established in 1992. The site has a Mediterranean climate with 450mm annual rainfall.The first seed plantings of 18 eucalypts occurred in 1993. All seed collection points were marked with a GPS location and an herbarium voucher. Using trial and error in choosing planting distance, some trees that were initially planted too close are being replanted.CollectionThe eucalypt collection includes 1,000 species and subspecies, with over 8,000 trees. including Eucalyptus, Angophora and Corymbia. Each species is grouped in fours.ResearchResearch activities includes eucalypt conservation, cultivation, ecology, physiology, systematics, and taxonomy. Additional research consists of the cut flower industry and honey production, as well as tree use, such as firewood, shade, and windbreaks.