Australian red cedar
Australian red cedar (Toona ciliata var. australis) has a slow-to-moderate growth rate, preferring 1000 mm or more of annual rainfall and deep alluvial loam to clay loam soils. It requires shelter from the sun and cold conditions. It is an attractive deciduous tree.
Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
Botanical name | Toona ciliata var. australis |
Growth rate in preferred conditions | Slow to moderate |
Estimated rotation length (yr) in preferred conditions to produce 60 cm diameter at breast height | 40–50 |
Preferred annual rainfall (mm/yr) | 1000+ |
Minimum rainfall (mm/yr) | 750 |
Preferred elevation (m) asl | 0–200 |
Preferred landscape position | Sheltered sites located on river flats or lower slopes. Canopy requires even light exposure for straight form. Requires afternoon shade. |
Preferred soil | Deep alluvial loam to clay loam soils |
Prohibitive soil | Soils that are prone to drying out deep into the profile – i.e. uniform deep sands |
Poor drainage tolerance | Low to moderate |
Dry site tolerance | Low to moderate |
Frost tolerance | Low |
Pest and disease problems: | Asian cedar tip moth causing leader dieback – not known to be an issue in Victoria |
Table 2: Timber characteristics for Australian red cedar
Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
Strength: seasoned timber only | SD8 – very low |
Durability: in ground | above ground | 2 | ? |
Drying: green to 12% moisture content | Easy to dry. Requires careful stacking to avoid cupping. Shrinkage about 1.9% radial and 4.5% tangential. |
Main commercial products | Decorative veneers, panelling and furniture. It has also been used for boat building and carving. |
Bushfire resistance: measured by bushfire attack level (BAL) | Not tested |
Least attractive features | Frost tenderness, sapwood very susceptible to lyctid borer. Requires shelter from sun and cold conditions. |
Most attractive features | Attractive tree, durable timber, excellent veneer option, deciduous, timber from plantations at least as good as native forest. |
Status as a plantation species in Gippsland | Restricted to a few isolated plantings. The narrow siting preference of the species indicates that it is not suited to being planted across large areas spanning different site classes. |
Note: Timber characteristics and durability are based on Australian Standard: Timber Natural durability ratings (AS 5604–2005). Refer to the Appendix for an explanatory table. Where (?) applied, rating is based on field experience.
Note: Bushfire resistance measurement is based on naturally bushfire resisting timbers, which are those with inherent bushfire-resisting properties. For more information refer to Australian Standard 3959:2018.
Assumptions and notes
- Sites considered for planting contain at least one metre of soil above an impeding layer (e.g., bedrock or layer impenetrable to roots).
- Please note that most (if not all) eucalypts in Gippsland grow best on sheltered sites.
- Overall slow drying time across air and kiln-dried schedules is recommended to minimise drying degrade. This is the best starting point for inexperienced operators.
References
Beadle CL and Brown AG (eds) 2007. Acacia utilisation and management: adding value. RIRDC Publication No. 07/095, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.
Boland DJ et. al (1992). Forest trees of Australia. CSIRO Australia.
Bootle KR (1983). Wood in Australia – Types, properties and uses. McGraw Hill, Australia
Carnegie AJ (2002). Field guide to common pests and diseases in eucalypt plantations in NSW. Research and Development Division of State Forests, NSW.
Clarke B, McLeod I and Vercoe T (eds) 2009. Trees for farm forestry: 22 promising species. RIRDC Publication No. 09/015. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.
Mortimer J (2003). A selection of alternative timbers. Taitua Books, NZ.
National Association of Forest Industries (2004). Timber species and properties, revised edition. Timber Manual Datafile P1
Nicholas ID, Gifford HH and Kimberely MO (1997). Siting black walnut. FRI Bulletin no. 188
Phillips C (1996). Insects, diseases and deficiencies associated with eucalypts in South Australia. Primary Industries SA Forests.
Poole B, Waugh G and Yang JL (2017). Potential for growing and processing durable eucalypts in New Zealand. Publication No. SWP-T036. Solid Wood Innovation. Specialty Wood Products Research Partnership.
Reid R (2017). Heartwood. The art and science of growing trees for conservation and profit. Melbourne Books.
Tepper CJ (2002). Plantation eucalypt species for solid wood products – a profile of Eucalyptus muelleriana. Gottstein Fellowship Report for the Gottstein Memorial Trust
Tepper CJ (2008). Site Matching and Establishing Eucalypt Sawlog Species in Southern Australia. In Beadle CL and Brown AG (eds) 2008. Plantation eucalypts for high value timber. RIRDC Publication No. 08/113, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.