Red ironbark
Red ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon/tricarpa) is a slow-growing Eucalyptus preferring 700 mm or more of rainfall annually and gradational clay/clay loam soils. It is a highly durable species that is very tolerant to dry sites. It is being trialled as a plantation species on a small scale.
Table 1: General characteristics for red ironbark
Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
Botanical name | Eucalyptus sideroxylon/tricarpa |
Growth rate in preferred conditions | Slow |
Estimated rotation length (yr) in preferred conditions to produce 60cm diameter at breast height | 35+ |
Preferred annual rainfall (mm/yr) | 700+ |
Minimum rainfall (mm/yr) | 500 |
Preferred elevation (m) ASL | 20–500 |
Preferred landscape position | Resilient species that has a wide niche for good performance |
Preferred soil | Gradational clay/clay loams |
Prohibitive soil | Deep sand |
Poor drainage tolerance | Moderate |
Dry site tolerance | Very high |
Frost tolerance | High |
Pest and disease problems: trees planted on unsuitable sites are more prone to insect and disease issues | Sawfly larvae, Christmas beetles, chrysomelids, lerps and shot hole miner. |
Table 2: Timber characteristics for red ironbark
Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
Strength: seasoned timber only | SD3: moderate/high |
Durability: in ground | above ground | 1 | 1 |
Drying: green to 12% moisture content | Slow drying. Care needed to minimise surface checking. Shrinkage about 3.5% radial and 7% tangential. |
Main commercial products | Furniture, posts and poles, sleepers, heavy and light construction, internal flooring, jetty piles, exterior decking, Insulated fence droppers, firewood. |
Bushfire resistance: measured by bushfire attack level (BAL) | BAL 12.5, 19 and 29 – all AS3959 required applications. Regarded as a bushfire-resistant timber as defined by AS 3837. |
Least attractive features | Slow growth and poor form. Difficult to work as a timber. Sapwood susceptible to lyctid borer. |
Most attractive features | Good honey producer. Colour and hardness. Electric fence insulation properties. High durability. Favoured firewood species. |
Status as a plantation species | Being trialled as a plantation species on a small scale. May find its niche as a furniture and/or firewood species in drier areas that have frost issues |
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.