Eucalyptus paniculata

Grey Ironbark
drawing by Margaret Flockton
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Eucalyptus
Species:	E. paniculata
Binomial name
Eucalyptus paniculata Sm.

Eucalyptus paniculata (Grey Ironbark) is a common eucalyptus tree of eastern New South Wales, Australia.^[1] A dark trunked forest tree with grey furrowed bark. When in flower, the nectar is attractive to birds and insects, and is used in honey production.^[2]

Habitat

The natural range of distribution is high rainfall coastal areas from Bermagui to Bulahdelah. Previously a common tree in the inner western suburbs of Sydney. A remnant ironbark still grows in the inner city suburb of Glebe at St. Johns church.^[3]

Usually found near the coast on good quality soils. Soils include types such as fertile sandy loams with fairly heavy sub-soils. But it can also tolerate poorer soils on stony ridges. The largest trees are found in moist gullies, but it also occurs on ridges, hills and relatively flat country. The average annual rainfall in its range is between 750 and 1750 mm. The climate is warm humid to sub-humid, frosts are rare or absent.

Description

A forest tree, mostly seen between 20 and 30 metres tall. However, a tree at Yarrat, near Taree was measured at 56 metres tall and a trunk diameter at breast height of 1.94 metres.^[4]

The bark is fairly typical of ironbarks, being rough, hard and furrowed. But somewhat paler than some ironbarks. Also, the bark can be almost corky in some trees. From a distance it may appear brown, rather than grey. Young trees have a compact dense crown, but with age the canopy becomes more open.

White flowers form on panicles between May and January. Juvenile leaves are opposite on the stem. Adult leaves are alternate on the stem, a different green above and below the leaf.^[5] Somewhat glossy above. Noticeably veiny, lanceolate in shape, 15 cm long by 2.3 wide. Gumnuts are 0.9 x 0.7 cm, hemispherical or reverse conical in shape.

Naming

The indigenous name in the Sydney region for this tree is Torrangora. The specific epithet paniculata refers to the drooping panicles of flowers. The species first appeared in scientific literature in 1797 in the Transactions of the Linnean Society of London 3: 287. Published by the renowned English botanist James Edward Smith. The original specimen was collected in Sydney by David Burton. Burton was acting on commission to collect botanic samples for Joseph Banks.

Timber

Grey Ironbark is well regarded by foresters for the high quality of timber. It is particularly hard, strong and durable. A very heavy timber, being 1120 kilograms per cubic metre. Heart wood is red-brown or dark brown. The timber has various uses, including railway sleepers, heavy engineering, construction, poles and cross-arms.^[6] Timber is difficult to plane and nail. It is slow in drying, requiring careful handling to avoid surface checking.^[7] Annual wood production potential is 9 to 18 cubic metres per hectare.^[8] The timber is not susceptible to the lyctus borer.

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  original remnant forest tree, Glebe, inner Sydney^[1]

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  Ironbark, surrounded by suburbia, Chatswood

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  bark, Mount Keira

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  Grey Ironbark at Eastwood, New South Wales

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  Giant Ironbark, Royal National Park, Australia

References