River Red Gums are a familiar and iconic tree seen lining watercourses and on floodplains right across inland Australia. Image Could Not Be Found
River Red Gums are the most widespread eucalypt in Australia, although they do not grow naturally in Tasmania. Eucalyptus camaldulensis var. camaldulensis is found in the Murray-Darling catchment area, while Eucalyptus camaldulensis var. obtusa is found outside the Murray-Darling catchment throughout most of arid central and western Australia and the drier parts of the wet/dry tropics.
They can live up to 600 years or more and can grow to 45 metres tall. The base of the trunk may, rough,
grey-brown bark, above that is smooth white or gray bark. The tree has a large, dense crown of leaves. Image Could Not Be FoundBuds are small, about 5mm across opening to white flowers. The bud cap or operculum is drawn out into a point or “beak”.
River Red Gums (and many other eucalypts) have an ominous nickname, "Widow Maker", as they drop their limbs in times of drought. Fatalities have been recorded, hence camping under River Red Gums is not recommended.
The hollows created by the falling of the limbs provide homes to a host of wildlife, making the River Red Gum forests a rich ecosystem along inland waterways.
Aboriginal tribes have long utilised River Red Gum forests for food and shelter. River Red Gum bark was used to construct shelters, canoes and shields. Canoe Trees show where Aborigines peeled long sheets of bark off living trees to make their canoes.
River Red Gum was a valued resource used by the early European settlers for railway sleepers, wharves and
mine shaftsand to fuel river boats.
River Red gum is so named for its brilliant red wood. Traditionally used in rot resistant applications like stumps, fence posts and sleepers, more recently it has been used in craft furniture. It is a popular timber for wood turners who prize the large trunk burls for turning into decorative bowls.
River Red Gum is used for commercial hardwood plantations and in the fight against salinity. It is one of the most widely planted eucalypts in the world with plantations established on every continent.
There are many remaining large old River Red Gums, and some of them have a colourful history, some even providing a
home for early settlers. Image Could Not Be FoundA giant red gum tree near
Orroroo measures more than ten metres in circumference and is estimated to be at least 500 years old.
River Red Gums often appear as stately and beautiful trees. They have been recorded and made famous by photographers such as Harold Casneaux. Artists have also been fascinated by River Red Gums, notably Hans Heysen whose many paintings of River Red Gums in the
Flinders Ranges have made this tree justly famous. Image Could Not Be Found
River Reds have so much history and so many uses that I found I had far to much material to put in this post which is already too long. So for a more detailed account and more photos have a look at my River Red Gum Blog.
Now I’m looking forward to seeing your photos of this beautiful and most Australian tree.
Finally a big thank you to those of you who are planning a post on the “
Wildflowers, Photos…” theme.
Cheers, and a Happy Christmas,
Val
| J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein
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