MID NORTH COAST BRANCH PO BOX 9145, PORT MACQUARIE NSW 2444

TIMBER USES IN THE EARLY DAYS

Most walkers know Brush Box, a large tree which grows on the edges of rainforest. The large fruits, rough basal bark and the smooth, pink bark of the upper branches are very distinctive. It has a widespread distribution and in the older parts of Sydney it is still used as a street tree. (Not a great choice because Brush Box is a large tree and it needs frequent pruning.)

Brush Box is a tough timber and in early days it was used in Newcastle and Sydney for paving streets. Because the timber does not contaminate water, it was also used to construct a one metre diameter pipe to carry water from Chichester Dam to Newcastle. Farmers who lived along

the route were quick to realise that they could obtain water free of charge simply drilling a hole in the pipe.

In this age of plastic and metal we can easily lose sight of the critical role of timber played in the lives of the early white settlers. Here is a list of some of the trees we know and love with the ways in which they were originally used:

BLACKBUTT: The commonest tree in our area. Lower bark rough and often blackened by fire. Upper bark smooth.) One of the best building timbers – then and now.

WHITE MAHOGANY: Rough, fibrous bark throughout. Used for rafters, in the construction of slab huts, and for fence posts.

YELLOW CARABEEN: Only in dense rainforest. Larger trees are buttressed. Used for coffins.

SPOTTED GUM: A straight tree with attractive blotchy bark, very common on low nutrient soils. Fishing rods, tool handles and as the rails in two rail fences.

TALLOWWOOD: A stunning tree with rough, fibrous, red-brown bark throughout. The dark green crown stands out in the canopy. Used for flooring, slab sheds and telegraph poles.

FOREST RED GUM: Often in open country or along road-sides. Bark sometimes referred to as “dirty” because some bark is always in the process of shedding. The large branches are held more vertically than in other Eucalypt species. A first class, tough timber used in construction, railway sleepers, poles and posts.

FLOODED GUM: The tree most noticed by bushwalkers. Flooded gum is a tall, straight tree with a smooth white trunk and a “stocking” of rough bark at the base. It often forms spectacular pure stands close to streams. Used as a building material and also in carts and wagons.

COACHWOOD: Grows in rainforest, often close to streams. Recognised by its smooth grey bark with distinctive horizontal scars which can encircle the trunk. An attractive timber formerly used for making furniture, heels for ladies shoes, fishing reels, stocks for rifles and in the bodies of Mosquito Bombers in WW II. Twenty Coachwood panels, inlaid with designs of Australian flora, were used in the design of the new Parliament House.

BLOODWOOD: Recognised by its very large urn shaped fruits and rough tessellated bark. Used for fence posts because it lasts well in the ground.

GREY GUM: A smooth bark tree on poorer soils, and often associated with spotted gum. When the bark is shed (usually in Autumn), the under-bark can be a bright orange colour. An important koala food tree. Used in buildings, especially weatherboards.

RED CEDAR: One “leaf” of red cedar actually consists of up to seventeen “leaflets”. Old time timber-getters identified the tree by the reddish colour of the new growth in spring (see photograph at the top of page one). The scaly bark is brown or grey. Not to be confused with: Port Macquarie Beech (“Chinaman’s Cedar” - bark is smooth) or Pencil Cedar (leaves are up to seven times as long as they are wide). The best general purpose timber but especially for indoor use and for decorative applications – fine furniture, tables, chairs etc.

NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES PROGRAMME

July to September 2016

DATE LEADER WALK/ACTIVITY Sat July 9 Andrew Moll

6582 2785 MIDDLE BROTHER – A Grade Four walk, approximately 16 km on forest roads and trails. Rise and fall 1000 metres. We will visit the BIRD TREE a 54m Blackbutt estimated to be 400 years old. Lunch at one of the two lookouts on our way.

Sat July 16 Ian Hodson 0458 240 401

BI-MONTHLY MEETING – Hannam Vale Coffee Shop Walk to be advised.

Sat July 23 Jackie Wiseman 6552 3602

JULES MOUNTAIN ROAD AREA – Details to be advised.

Sat July 30 Jeff Smith 0407 007 500

NORTH BROTHER. Details to be advised.

Sat August 6 Phill Shaddock 6557 4787

STARRS CREEK – A Grade Four, 10 km walk. Off Track with some rough terrain. Magnificent scenery.

Sat August 13 Ian Hodson 0458 240 401

MOUNT KILLABAKH – A spectacular grade four walk. Not many kilometres, but includes some rough off-track scrambling.

Sat August 20 Ian Hodson 0458 240 401

COMBOYNE STATE FOREST - A Grade Three walk of about ten kilometres. Map: Lorne.

Sat August 27 Keith and Evelyn Sandie 6581 2221

Details to be advised.

Sat September 3

Jackie Wiseman 6552 3605

THREE BIG TREES – MIDDLE BROTHER STATE FOREST AND NATIONAL PARK. 12 km / Grade 3 / 4.

Sat September 10

Phill Shaddock 6557 4787

LANSDOWNE STATE FOREST- Gyler’s and Deep Creek area. Sixty percent off track but a great walk!

Sat September 17

Cheryl Fathers 0421 178 498

Details to be advised.

Sunday Walks…

Sun July 10 Sue Baker 6559 7134

DIAMOND HEAD WEEDING CLEANUP - Meet at 9.15 a.m. in the Diamond Head Carpark. Please let Sue know if you are coming so she can pack the appropriate amount of gear.

Sun September 11

Bob Griffiths 6582 0787

LIMBURNERS CREEK NATIONAL PARK – An easy ten kilometres in forest and meadows in the area south of Crescent Head. Good wild-flowers. Opportunities for camping for those wishing to do so.

Sun September 18

Phill Shaddock 6557 4787

LANSDOWNE STATE FOREST – Photographer’s special! Grade 2/3 walk to “The Hole in the Wall”. Slow pace. Lots of photo opportunities.

Those Gum Nuts

Some people think that all Eucalypt fruits look the same but they exhibit many differences which can be used to help to identify the species. Clockwise from the top left these fruits are (1) Tallowwood (2) Blackbutt (3) Bloodwood (4) Grey Gum.

Tallowwood fruits are pear shaped and very wrinkled. Blackbutt fruits are large and almost hemispherical. Bloodwood fruits are very large and urn shaped. Grey Gum fruits are very small and can be identified by the three triangular shaped valves which open to release the seed.

Eucalypts are easy to grow from seed. Just place the gum nuts in a paper bag until the valves open and release the seed. Plant the seed in a pot and see what happens.

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Thanks to Mick Alison, who provided the material on the historical usage of native timbers.

Newsletter contributions are always much appreciated. Please forward your photographs and articles to Bob Griffiths: robgriffiths1@bigpond.com.