Brown stringybark
Brown stringybark (Eucalyptus baxteri) is a moderate to fast-growing Eucalyptus preferring 900 mm or more of rainfall annually and gradational well-drained soils. Not commonly trialled as a plantation species but early performance is promising, with potential to be more frost-hardy than yellow stringybark.
Table 1: General characteristics for brown stringybark
Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
Botanical name | Eucalyptus baxteri |
Growth rate in preferred conditions | Moderate to fast |
Estimated rotation length (yr) in preferred conditions to produce 60 cm diameter at breast height | 25–30 |
Preferred annual rainfall (mm/yr) | 900+ |
Minimum rainfall (mm/yr) | 750 |
Preferred elevation (m) ASL | 100–500 |
Preferred landscape position | Well drained soils in foothills |
Preferred soil | Gradational soils (well drained) with clay content |
Prohibitive soil | Poorly drained soils |
Poor drainage tolerance | Low to moderate |
Dry site tolerance | Moderate |
Frost tolerance | High |
Pest and disease problems: | Susceptibility to ringbarking by cattle. High susceptibility to Phytophthora cinnamomi |
Table 2: Timber characteristics for brown stringybark
Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
Strength: seasoned timber only | SD3: moderate/high |
Durability: in ground | above ground | 3 | 2 |
Drying: green to 12% moisture content | Care needed to minimise degrade. Considerable collapse can occur. Shrinkage about 5.1% radial and 10.4% tangential. Reconditioning commonly required |
Main commercial products | General construction, notably building framework, and firewood |
Bushfire resistance: measured by bushfire attack level (BAL) | BAL 12.5 and 19 – all AS3959 required applications |
Least attractive features | No improved seed sources available. Ringbarking by cattle. Phytophthora cinnamomi susceptibility. |
Most attractive features | Sapwood resistant to lyctid borer attack. Not difficult to work |
Status as a plantation species in Gippsland | Not a commonly trialled plantation species. Early performance is promising. Potentially more frost-hardy and tolerant of poor drainage than yellow stringybark. |
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
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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.