Where would the Murray River be without its beautiful river red gums?

It's a question that Gardening Australia presenter Jane Edmanson pondered on a recent return to her childhood roots in Sunraysia.

"The river red gums, although they do line the Murray River from start to finish, they are really everywhere throughout Australia," Ms Edmanson said.

"These trees were really important to me just as a thing to remember Mildura by."

Eucalyptus camaldulensis is one of about 800 within the eucalyptus genus native to Australia. ( ABC Regional & Local: Damien Peck )

The river red gum — or the Eucalyptus camaldulensis — can be seen along the banks of the Murray providing important shade for locals, tourists and wildlife year round.

Ms Edmanson said some of the trees along the banks of the Murray are about 300–400 years old, and were used by Indigenous people for canoes and used the bark as shields and coolamons.

Facts about the red gum These trees stand about 20 - 35 metres high

These trees stand about 20 - 35 metres high Has the widest natural distribution of any eucalyptus species

Has the widest natural distribution of any eucalyptus species Species and variations are linked to watercourses

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Listen Duration: 6 minutes 35 seconds 6 m Matt Colloff is the author of 'River red gum - more than just a tree' ( Lauren Fitzgerald ) Download 3 MB

"These trees are some of my favourite because of their history. They go back so many years and they just tell so many stories."

Weak limbs dangerous in drought conditions

From silver, gold and yellow bark linings and scarring, no two red gums look the same — but their beauty masks the danger of dropping limbs.

In times of drought the trees shed branches to conserve water, sometimes with deadly results.

Ms Edmanson said there needs to be more advice for tourists that use recreations spaces underneath the river red gums.

"These trees are noted as limb-droppers," she said.

"Respect the trees, camp right away from them and give them that due respect because they are truly beautiful trees."

While the quality of river red gums has been in decline for some time, sustainability has become a factor in the need for more shade along the river.

"Some of those hollowed out logs or branches at the top have got nests in them, budgerigars, parrots of course, there's plenty of insect life," Ms Edmanson said.

"They need the Murray River to flood to be a healthy surviving community of trees — their character is so fantastic, the way no tree is identical to another."

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 23 seconds 23 s Jane Edmanson says the Murray River has a major effect on younger red gum trees ( ABC Regional & Local: Damien Peck )

Early memories inspire a gardening career

Ms Edmanson, who grew up on a citrus farm in Buronga (a 10-minute drive from Mildura along the Silver City Highway) said she held fond memories of the tree species as she resonated with her home.

"My first memory of these wonderful trees was when mum and dad had their farm not so many hundred metres off the Murray River on the other side, and they would draw water for irrigation to feed the trees on their farm or on their block," Ms Edmanson said.

"I would wander down on a morning and just see what the birdlife was doing … very often I would get a real fright when I would see a goanna scuttling along and climbing up there.

"I learnt a lot from my mum and dad horticulturally and in a garden sense."

The root system of the river red gums extends underneath sand and soil into the depths of the Murray River. ( ABC Regional & Local: Damien Peck )

Growing up watching her parents farming in the 1970s, Ms Edmanson learned a great deal about environmental care, under-tree irrigation techniques and salt management.

"My dad was a really good farmer … he really thought about not putting the salt that was wasted from the farm into the Murray River, because it just builds up and builds up," she said.

"He and lots of other farmers — that's why they did the under-tree irrigation and then they would take the salt out to the badlands at the back of the block so that it wouldn't come back into the Murray River.

"I think that's why I became a gardener because gardeners and farmers of course care for their environment and that's what it's all about."

Greening Mildura volunteer Tom Fagan took a proactive approach to planting trees in the region after he saw complaints from local citizens. ( ABC Regional & Local: Damien Peck )

The next wave of environmentalists in Mildura

Tom Fagan from Greening Mildura said the volunteer group is dedicated to providing shade in the region, and trialling what trees will be best for Sunraysia's typically hot days.

"We've got a great group and we've planted thousands of trees," Mr Fagan said.

Tom Fagan says the volunteer group have had "some great results, absolutely fantastic results" as thousands of trees have been planted in trials. ( ABC Regional & Local: Damien Peck )

"Shade trees are one of the most important things in our environment … without shade we wouldn't be standing here today."

Mr Fagan said by having a positive group of volunteers keen to look after the environment it was merely a matter of having enough hands on deck to plant more trees.

"It just goes to show the importance of shade in our harsh in environment," he said.

"If you have interest in your community and you want to help produce some shade for the future, and for the future of our children, please just volunteer, get out there and plant.

"By no means do you have to be a horticulturalist … you don't have to know a lot — you just need a spare spade."

#TheRoadBackHome Every month we hitch a ride with an ABC personality as they reveal the stories that take them back to their community.