How do trees survive bushfires?

The podcast explores how Australian plants, specifically Banksias and Eucalyptus trees, have adapted to survive bushfires. Costa uses "magic" compost to supersize the environment, illustrating the unique survival mechanisms of native flora. Banksias protect their seeds in hard, resin-sealed cones that only open after a fire, releasing seeds to regenerate. Eucalyptus trees employ "Bark and Buds," utilizing thick, stringy bark for insulation and epicormic growth, where buds beneath the bark sprout new growth post-fire. The lignotuber, a bulbous base, stores buds for regrowth if the tree is severely damaged. The episode concludes with a campfire demonstration of opening Banksia cones, emphasizing the role of fire in seed dispersal.