Narrow-leaved Red Gum and Burl
Published January 9, 2011 | 
Image of a massive burl on an ancient narrow-leaved Red Gum (Euc. seeana) in the wildlife refuge. Australian eucalypts have a genetic predisposition to “burling”. Usually initiated when a tree is under stress from fungal attack, insects (mainly termites) or fire. One of the largest burls was found in Tamworth in 1984 and stood 6ft 4in tall. Narrow-leaved Red Gum can grow to 40 metres with smooth bark, usually white to grey and shedding in large plates. Distributed from Taree to Caloundra they are utilized as Koala food and listed as an endangered species, being close to extinction in it’s southern boundary.
The Life & Love of Trees [Hardcover]
Published July 31, 2010 | 
From Booklist
Photographer Blackwell draws on his experience as head of creative development at Getty Images to inspire an international troupe of stellar nature photographers to portray with exquisite artistry trees and forests. The (more…)
Leave a commentFlooded Gum (Eucalyptus grandis )
Published May 13, 2010 | 
A valuable and straight-trunked species which grows in east coast forests and coastal ranges north of Newcastle to west of the Daintree in northern Queensland. Image taken at Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge.
Small-leaved Apple (Angophora paludosa).
Published February 28, 2010 | 
Classified as a Significant species on the Far North Coast this specimen is growing on the Island at Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge.
Large-leaved Spotted Gum (Corymbia henryi).
Published January 20, 2010 | 
Considered a Significant Species on the Far North Coast. This beautiful tree is growing on the Island at Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge.
Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus grandis).
Published January 16, 2010 | 
Flooded gum (Euc. grandis) on the Island in riverine vegetation along Sportsman Creek, Dilkoon. Enlarge image to see Glider feeding station half-way up the trunk.
Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus teriticornis)
Published August 31, 2009 | 
A mighty old growth Forest Red Gum which lives in the riparian zone on Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge. The 1 hectare area immediately surrounding this tree is being allowed to naturally regenerate by using the fast growing Blady grass (Imperata cylindrica var. major) as a plant nursery. Blady grass provides winter protection from frosts for the young Red gums, Red Ash and wattle species -by using the native seed bank, site specific species have appeared. Coupled with management control for weed infestation this will provide a higher quality regeneration over time. The Blady grass will naturally thin out due to increased shading leaving an measurably increased amount of soil biota for the young trees.
Old Growth Large-leaved Spotted Gum
Published August 26, 2009 | 
This ancient Large-leaved Spotted Gum ( Corymbia henryi) is the largest of it’s family at Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge and is considered a Significant species on the Far North Coast of N.S.W.
Image taken in early morning.
Jackwood (Cryptocarya glaucescens) and Rock Felt Fern (Pyrrosia rupestris).
Published August 4, 2009 | 
Scarce Jackwood dressed with Rock Felt Fern on The Island at Sportsman Creek. A medium sized hardwood of the rainforests of New South Wales and Queensland. Growing to over 40ft. “Also known as Brown Beech. It is a splendid, generally useful timber and one of the brush trees that should be reafforested”.
Reference; Baker. R.T. The Hardwoods of Australia and Their Economics. 1919.