This Xanthorrhoea "Grass Tree" was obstructing the view of our entrance waterfall and needed to be trimmed to gain access to replace a worn out pump. It was also smothered in Mealy Bug and Scale. I suspect it was a case of once started, there was no turning back but the foliage was not looking great so probably for the best to start it again.
Xanthorrhoea are able withstand bush fires due to their growth points being underground, protected by tightly packed leaf bases. While a bush fire may burn the stumps and turn them black, hence the name "Black Boy", the fire will actually stimulate new growth and flowering. So with that in mind, we simulated a bush fire with the help of a gas torch.............
When Xanthorrhoea are harvested for sale, they are burnt like this to reset the plant and stimulate new growth. Never feed Grass Trees, they don't like t or need it.
That whole space was consumed by foliage, with the stumps being completely hidden. I actually like the look of this better and now also shows the waterfall again.