Yellow stringybark
Yellow stringybark (Eucalyptus muelleriana) is a fast-growing Eucalyptus preferring 800 mm or more of annual rainfall and sandy loam/clay loam soils. It is a mainstream, durable plantation species in Gippsland with many uses. It is regarded by some as the best of the stringybark species for farm forestry.
Table 1: General characteristics for yellow stringybark
Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
Botanical name | Eucalyptus muelleriana |
Growth rate in preferred conditions | Fast |
Estimated rotation length (yr) in preferred conditions to produce 60cm diameter at breast height | 25–30 |
Preferred annual rainfall (mm/yr) | 800+ |
Minimum rainfall (mm/yr) | 650 |
Preferred elevation (m) ASL | 0–300 |
Preferred landscape position | Valley to mid-slope |
Preferred soil | Sandy loam/clay loam |
Prohibitive soil | Wet/heavy clay |
Poor drainage tolerance | Low to moderate |
Dry site tolerance | Moderate |
Frost tolerance | Low to moderate |
Pest and disease problems: trees planted on unsuitable sites are more prone to insect and disease issues | Susceptibility to ringbarking by cattle. Less than 3 months after planting – light brown apple moth. High susceptibility to Phytophthora cinnamomi. |
Table 2: Timber characteristics for yellow stringybark
Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
Strength: seasoned timber only | SD3: moderate/high |
Durability: in ground | above ground | 3 | 2 |
Drying: green to 12% moisture content | Dries readily, but care needed to minimise checking and end splitting – some collapse can occur but is recoverable through reconditioning. Shrinkage about 4.5% radial and 7.5% tangential. |
Main commercial products | Versatile species with many uses. Joinery, panelling, veneers, light and heavy construction, cladding, internal and external flooring, decking, outdoor furniture, sleepers, posts and poles, firewood. |
Bushfire resistance: measured by bushfire attack level (BAL) | BAL 12.5 and 19 – all AS3959 required applications |
Least attractive features | Ringbarking by cattle. Phytophthora cinnamomic susceptibility. |
Most attractive features | Good drying properties. Sapwood resistant to lyctid borer, Stability of green timber when sawn. Versatile range of uses. Regarded as the best of the stringybark timbers |
Status as a plantation species | Mainstream durable sawlog species in Gippsland. |
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.