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Eucalyptus siderophloia, Benth. 

 THE BROAD-LEAVED IROXJURK. 



A " coarse " species, that is to say, having coarse fruits (as compared with 

 the other Ironbarks, paniculata and crebra) and coarsely-furrowed bark. 

 Altogether a very sturdy tree, reminding one, in this respect, of the British 

 Oak. 



There is a glaucous form (var. glauca, Deane and Maiden) which goes 

 under the name of u Blue-leaf Ironbark " and " Broad-leaf Ironbark " in the 

 Dubbo district. 



Botanical Name. SideropJdoia, from two Greek words sideros (iron), 

 and pliloia (bark) in reference to the common Australian name for such 

 trees. 



r 



Vernacular Names. "Broad-leaved Ironbark." Perhaps this is the most 

 distinctive name for this species, a characteristic by which it may be readily 

 distinguished, particularly in young trees. It is often called " Red Iron- 

 bark/' particularly from northern localities. 



Flowers. The buds are often, when young, of the " egg-in-egg-cup ?> 

 shape that is to say, the operculum is of noticeably less diameter than the 

 calyx. (See figure.) The bud is commonly beaked. 



Fruits. The fruits have generally exsert valves (teeth, some people call 

 them), which is usually quite sufficient to distinguish this from other 

 Ironbarks. 



Bark. The ridges of bark common to all Ironbarks are flattest in this 

 species that is to say, in other Ironbarks they are sharper and more conical 

 in section. 



Timber. Coming to the particular Ironbark of which we are speaking; 

 the timber has the highest reputation for strength and durability, and is 

 used for large beams in stores for heavy goods, railway sleepers, and other 

 purposes where great strength is required. It is also used for clray poles. 

 Its extreme hardness renders it difficult to work. It is largely used for 

 spokes. 



The Ironbark of the Clarence is not liked as compared with southern 

 Ironbark, as it is inclined to split and shell. 



Speaking of this Ironbark, chiefly from the Manning River district, the 

 late Mr. Augustus Rudder wrote: 



The mature tres are fjenerally pipy, and the colour of the \vooil is red. The 

 timber of this Ironbark is strong, hard, dense, and heavy, but iu lasting quality- 

 is not always reliable, as I have repeatedly seen it quite rotten al'icv icn or 

 lifteen years, but this is not usual. It is very plentiful in places, in the 

 Clarence Kiver district in particular, but in these parts the timber is of inferior 

 quality, especially on the ridges, where the trees are stunted and badly ^rown. 

 For railway sleepers this timber is fairly good, but is scarcely to be recom- 

 mended in the round, as a rule, for bridge-work, as its central heartv.'ood is 

 not reliable, and it is very subject to the white ant, more so than any other 

 hardwood I know of. 



Size. This is a large tree, attaining the height of 100 feet, with a 

 diameter of 4 feet and more. Being a timber in such demand, most of the 

 largest trees have long since been cut down in readily accessible places. 



