What tree fern?

[mooch]

Hi, can anyone tell me if I can use the standard tree fern that you see growing around Melbourne as a mount. I've got a couple of really large dead ones that I want to chop up for mounts. Not sure if it is the right sort of tree fern to use?
Thanks.

[Stelios]

there is a protected tree fern that is usually used as a mount material, locally the material is called xaxim and requires cites documents from the seller (at least that was the case when i bought a piece) but i guess any tree fern could work. Some of them even get alive again if kept moist.

[terra_australis]

There are two types that I know of... one that has a wooly covering on the "trunk" and the other without. The one without is best for mounting epiphytes directly. I have seen terrestrials grown on the wooly ones though. In either case the material you get from centre of the trunk is the same and is a suitable mount for any epiphytes. If you want to keep growing your treefern (minus a section of trunk) you can chop straight through it, prune off all the mature fronds and sit the remaining top half in damp sand. It will eventually grow roots and spring back to life. This is what you do if you need to move a treefern.