CHAPTER II. 



RING-BARKING AND ITS EFFECTS. 



COMPILED FROM INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM SOCIETIES IN 

 VARIOUS DISTRICTS. 



The object of ring-barking or sap-ringing is to kill the trees in 

 order that the pasture and water supply may be improved, and to 

 facilitate clearing in the future. The surface roots of ^rees absorb 

 nearly all the nutritive value from the soil, and grasses and other 

 herbage cannot possibly grow, while the leaves of some trees, the 

 salmon gum and sheoak, for instance, completely destroy the herbage 

 upon which they fall, and grasses cannot be got to grow until the 

 trees are dead. There are two methods of destroying the trees, one 

 by ring-barking, that is taking off a belt of bark about a foot in 

 width, and the other sap-ringing, that is cutting into the sap or 

 outer wood of the tree as well as taking off the bark. The illustra- 

 tion herewith shows the different methods, and on perusal of the 

 following pages it will be found which varieties of trees, in the 

 opinion of old colonists in various districts, should be ring-barked 

 and which sap-rung. The season for ring-barking or sap-ringing 

 varies according to locality ; but in all cases the trees should be 

 rung when the sap is up. To ring too early in the spring when the 

 sap is rising, means that but the top of the tree will be killed, but 

 the roots will retain their vigor and continue to throw up shoots and 

 suckers, which will be a continual annoyance to the selector, and 

 prove a greater evil than the tree itself. When the trees are in 

 bloom, it may be said, speaking generally, is quite time enough to 

 begin ring-barking, and at this season the work is expeditiously 

 carried out, as the bark strips most easily. In large paddocks, or in 

 paddocks of any kind where stock are to run, a few of the best trees 

 should always be spared to give shade. After the ring-barking has 

 been done, the fallen timber and logs should be cleared up so as to 

 give the grass every possible show, and it will be found economical 

 to keep the paddocks clear of suckers as fast as they grow, and 

 timber, as it falls when the trees are dead. 



The following are the common and botanical names, as supplied 

 by the Conservator of Forests, of the trees found growing in the 

 South-west Land division of the colony : 

 Janah (Eucalyptus iinir^iiitiln, Smith). 

 Red gum (E. nilopliylla, R. Brown). 

 Flooded or "bine" gum (/,'. iiic^tict-irpc, Mueller). 

 White gum (/,'. mlnnai, Schauer). 



