Plumtree Pocket Enterprises

We are combining three businesses into one and operating under a new ABN. You will notice over the next couple of months that we will be reducing the content of this website and building up our new website so that we can provide an even better website experience.

From the 1st of October 2014 we will cease to trade under Ecoflora Australia and all future business will be under Plumtree Pocket Enterprises.

Ooray Orchards

Ooray Orchards was registered as a business in 1999, when with a Wild Harvesters license from the NSW National Parks Service, collections of Davidsonia fruit from wild trees and two suckers from each Davidsonia johnsonii population. Whilst collecting wild harvested fruit in 1998 - 2000 for wine production, the owner of Ooray Orchards, along with another local Davidsonia and native plant enthusiast traversed almost every square Inch of the Brunswick and Tweed lowlands area in search of in-situ Davidsonia populations. This avid interest unveiled many wild populations, the majority which are now lodged on the government database. Both NSW Davidsonia species are listed as Endangered under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSCA) and Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Living Genebank

Since its interception the orchard has expanded to include an estimated 2000 trees of all Davidsonia species with the first plantings in February 1999. The orchard is unique in that the specimens are a collection of many wild populations which are represented in rows and cataloged. Some of these collections are distinctive and offer surprising prospects for superior forms to be developed for horticulture. The orchard is a germplasm bank offering ex-situ conservation as a couple of collection sites of Davidsonia jerseyana no longer exist due to extensive clearing for various development. In 2002, one particular development in west Murwillumbah was allowed to clear Davidsonia jerseyana trees because the Development Application was approved in 1994, prior to the TSCA 1995 being signed off on. Davidsonia jerseyana easily has more trees within cultivation, even within its natural range, than occur within the wild. The vast majority of wild trees exist at sites with threats from cattle grazing, weed infestation, roadside maintenance, exposure and predation from exotic rodents, and King Parrots which occur in high numbers due to supplementary food sources by humans. Genetic pollution is likely to occur from nearby planted specimens however little is understood in relation to the long term affects.

Endangered Species

Ooray Orchards collection of Smooth leaved Davidsons Plum Davidsonia johnsonii represents the largest assemblage of living genotypes of this species in existence with 18 of the 28 known wild sites growing in the orchard. The most widely available genotype is that which originated in an easily accessible site at Hogans Scrub, north of Murwillumbah. It is easily discernible by its narrower leaflets, pronounced veins, often paler colour and small grape sized fruits.

Farm Grown Fruit

To help keep the collection in a manageable condition, Ooray Orchards has for sale:

  • Dried fruit (dehydrated).
  • Frozen whole fruit.
  • Frozen puree.
  • Fresh fruit in season (Dec-Jan & March-August).
  • SAPUBET potted plants.

Our Conservation Commitment

Ooray Orchards plays an integral role in preserving the genetic diversity of Davidsonia species. With over 2000 trees and representation of endangered genotypes, the orchard operates as a living gene bank, ensuring future horticultural and ecological benefits.