In article , "ant"
wrote:

Well -- are you living on an alpine mountain top?!

Yes.

OK -- thought you were closer to Canberra than that.

They don't sound indigenous to me, just native.

From the label (of one of the many that died).
10m by 8m (har). White flowers feb-march. a small endangered gum. grows on
mountain tops and escarpments in shallow stony soils. very cold tolerant
species.

Could be from Tasmania, for all we know. Any chance of collecting seed from
trees on/near your property? Does your Council offer free trees?

How about other species around the Leylandii/gums/whatever? Usually
a row of trees alone isn't much of a windbreak. You want a wave
shape -- low plants on the windward side, graduating to tall trees --
to push the wind over your house.

why do you think the cypress are in a line?

Well, that is what people seem to do with them... glad you have more sense.

It occurs to me that if your land is this difficult, you might need to do the
permaculture "pioneer species" thingy. Start with lower-growing heathland
shrubs, which are usually quite wind-tolerant, and plant up with taller
species over time.

--
Chookie -- Sydney, Australia
(Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply)

"Parenthood is like the modern stone washing process for denim jeans. You may
start out crisp, neat and tough, but you end up pale, limp and wrinkled."
Kerry Cue