Stringybark
Encyclopedia
A stringybark can be any of the many Eucalyptus
species
which have thick, fibrous bark. Like all eucalypts, stringybarks belong to the Myrtaceae
family. In exceptionally fertile locations some stringybark species (in particular Messmate Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua
) can be very large, reaching over 80 metres in height. More typically, stringybarks are medium-sized trees in the 10 to 40 metre range.
Early European colonists often used the bark for roofing and walls of huts.
The term stringybark is often used in error. For example, scientists consider Eucalyptus obliqua
not to be related to the stringybarks, because of the gumnut shape. And Eucalyptus acmenoides
is part of the mahogany group of eucalyptus. Also as the gumnuts are a different shape, despite the bark being somewhat stringy.
There are many different species of stringybark, including:
Studies have shown that Blue-leaved Stringybark is one of the 20-odd eucalypts preferred by Koala
s.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
which have thick, fibrous bark. Like all eucalypts, stringybarks belong to the Myrtaceae
Myrtaceae
The Myrtaceae or Myrtle family are a family of dicotyledon plants, placed within the order Myrtales. Myrtle, clove, guava, feijoa, allspice, and eucalyptus belong here. All species are woody, with essential oils, and flower parts in multiples of four or five...
family. In exceptionally fertile locations some stringybark species (in particular Messmate Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua
Eucalyptus obliqua
Eucalyptus obliqua, commonly known as Australian Oak, Brown Top, Brown Top Stringbark, Messmate, Messmate Stringybark, Stringybark and Tasmanian Oak, is a hardwood tree native to south-eastern Australia....
) can be very large, reaching over 80 metres in height. More typically, stringybarks are medium-sized trees in the 10 to 40 metre range.
Early European colonists often used the bark for roofing and walls of huts.
The term stringybark is often used in error. For example, scientists consider Eucalyptus obliqua
Eucalyptus obliqua
Eucalyptus obliqua, commonly known as Australian Oak, Brown Top, Brown Top Stringbark, Messmate, Messmate Stringybark, Stringybark and Tasmanian Oak, is a hardwood tree native to south-eastern Australia....
not to be related to the stringybarks, because of the gumnut shape. And Eucalyptus acmenoides
Eucalyptus acmenoides
Eucalyptus acmenoides, the White Mahogany is a common eucalyptus tree of eastern Australia. In the northern part of Sydney, where this tree grows on clay soils, the indigenous name is Barayly....
is part of the mahogany group of eucalyptus. Also as the gumnuts are a different shape, despite the bark being somewhat stringy.
There are many different species of stringybark, including:
- Blue-leaved Stringybark (Eucalyptus agglomerataEucalyptus agglomerataEucalyptus agglomerata, known by the common name Blue leaved Stringybark, is a tree native to eastern Australia. Eucalyptus agglomerata was first described by Joseph Maiden in 1922. Its specific name a Latin adjective for "crowded" and referring to the crowded gumnuts...
) - Brown Stringybark (Eucalyptus baxteriEucalyptus baxteriThe brown stringybark is a eucalypt which is native to Australia's southeast, occurring from southern New South Wales through Victoria and into the Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island of eastern South Australia. It is a medium-sized tree which can reach 40 m in height. The rough stringy bark...
, Eucalyptus laevopineaEucalyptus laevopineaEucalyptus laevopinea, known by the common name Silver Top Stringybark, is a tree native to eastern Australia. Occurring north from Rylstone. Mostly seen in the northern tablelands of New South Wales....
) - Mealy Stringybark (Eucalyptus cephalocarpaEucalyptus cephalocarpaEucalyptus cephalocarpa is a small to medium sized tree,native to and Victoria and New South Wales in Australia.-Description:...
) - Messmate Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliquaEucalyptus obliquaEucalyptus obliqua, commonly known as Australian Oak, Brown Top, Brown Top Stringbark, Messmate, Messmate Stringybark, Stringybark and Tasmanian Oak, is a hardwood tree native to south-eastern Australia....
) - Privet-leaved Stringybark (Eucalyptus ligustrinaEucalyptus ligustrinaEucalyptus ligustrina, the Privet-leaved Stringybark is a seldom noticed eucalyptus of south eastern Australia. A feature of this plant is the relatively broad leaves, particularly in the juvenile form....
) - Red Stringybark (Eucalyptus macrorhynchaEucalyptus macrorhynchaEucalyptus macrorhyncha, commonly known as Red Gum, Red Stringybark, Cannons Stringybark or Capertee Stringybark, is a small to medium-sized tree with rough, thick fibrous and stringy, dark-brown bark....
) - Tindale's Stringybark (Eucalyptus tindaliaeEucalyptus tindaliaeEucalyptus tindaliae, known by the common name Tindale's Stringybark, is a tree native to coastal eastern Australia. Occurring north from Coffs Harbour, usually on the poorer soils in high rainfall areas....
) - Yellow Stringybark (Eucalyptus acmenoidesEucalyptus acmenoidesEucalyptus acmenoides, the White Mahogany is a common eucalyptus tree of eastern Australia. In the northern part of Sydney, where this tree grows on clay soils, the indigenous name is Barayly....
, Eucalyptus muellerianaEucalyptus muellerianaEucalyptus muelleriana, commonly known as Yellow Stringybark, is a species of Eucalyptus which is native to New South Wales and Victoria in Australia. It is a tall tree, growing up to 40 metres in height.-References:*...
, Eucalyptus umbraEucalyptus umbraEucalyptus umbra, known as the Broad-leaved White Mahogany is a common eucalyptus tree of the high rainfall coastal areas of New South Wales and adjacent areas in south eastern Queensland. The bark is rough, resembling a "stringybark", though not as coarse, and in flat strips. Thick, fibrous bark,...
) - Thin-leaved Stringybark (Eucalyptus eugenioidesEucalyptus eugenioidesEucalyptus eugenioides, known as the thin-leaved stringybark, is a common eucalyptus tree in eastern Australia. It grows up to 30 metres tall in grassy forest or dry eucalyptus woodland on deep heavy soils of moderate fertility.-Taxonomy:...
) - White Stringybark (Eucalyptus globoideaEucalyptus globoideaEucalyptus globoidea, known by the common name White Stringybark, is a tree native to eastern Australia. It has thick, fibrous bark usually colored light gray over reddish brown. It is also known for its distinctive glossy green leaves in its adult life...
) - Wollemi Stringybark (Eucalyptus expressaEucalyptus expressaThe Wollemi Stringybark is a recently discovered species of Eucalyptus tree, currently known as Eucalyptus expressa ms. It is likely to be published later in 2011....
) - Stringybark or Narrow-leaved Stringybark (Eucalyptus oblongaEucalyptus oblongaEucalyptus oblonga, known by the common name Stringybark, is a tree native to eastern Australia. It has thick, fibrous stringy bark usually colored grey over reddish brown. Occurring on the poorest soils in high rainfall areas. Restricted and localised around Sydney...
)
Studies have shown that Blue-leaved Stringybark is one of the 20-odd eucalypts preferred by Koala
Koala
The koala is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia, and the only extant representative of the family Phascolarctidae....
s.