246 



1858-59, there are numerous places where E. viminalis and E. Miielhriana and other species are now 

 growing upon the ditches formed at the sides of the road. Those, for instance, at Lillies Leaf are on the 

 average about 30 feet high. 



These instances show how the occupation of Gippsland by the white man has absolutely caused 

 an increased growth of the Eucalyptus forests in places. I venture, indefed, to say with a feeling of 

 certainty produced by long observation, that, taking Gippsland as a whole, from the Great Dividing Range 

 to the sea, and from the boundary of Wcsternport to that of New South Wales, that, in spite of the clearings 

 which have been made by selectors and others, and in spite of the destruction of Eucalypts by other means 

 (to which I am about to refer), the forests are now more widely extended and more dense than they were 

 when Angus M'Millan first descended from the Omeo plateau into the low country." (Howitt, he. cit.) 



Following are some notes on the rate of growth of individual species of trees, 

 arranged in alphabetical order. The notes are so few that the new Forest Controllers 

 of the various States have practically to begin records for themselves. All these are New 

 South Wales records, unless othervsdse indicated : — 



E. cladocalyx F.v.M. — A tree at Balwyn, near Melbourne, in eleven years and 

 two months attained a height of 53 feet, v,dth a circumference at ground of 43-| inches, 

 at 6 feet, 41 inches. F. Chapman, A.I^.S., in Vict. Nat., 7th November, 1918, p. 106. 



E. diversicolor F.v.M. — A.B., of Torbay Junction, writes the following concerning 

 rate of growth of trees in Western Australia, in the Western Mail of 26th September, 

 1913 :— 



Re age of Karri trees, I note your remark that to find the age of Karri trees you count the number 

 of rings from the centre to the bark. This method is not correct for the majority of native trees of Australia. 

 Many years ago in Gipipsland a deal of discussion took place on this subject. The theory that is held by 

 botanists was believed until it was proved by actual fact to be incorrect. I have seen myself White Gum 

 saplings grown in five years — from where a sawmill was in actual work — cut down, and the rings counted 

 from twelve to sixteen in each sapling. (These observations confirm those of Tenison- Woods, already cited. 

 J.H.M.). These saplings grew up in the trolly track the henchmen were walking in five years before, and 

 were from 4 to 8 inches each in diameter. Numerous others found similar cases. Mr. Chris. Mudd, F.L.S., 

 a botanist, visited Gippsland district some little time after. 'On the fallacy being pointed out to him, 

 he then expressed the opinion that the rings indicated growths, and not years. It is evident this is so, and 

 also that different species of trees have a difierent number of growths in the year, some only one and some 

 as many as three. The climate also, in the botanists opinion, made the diSerence. That Karri trees 

 in this district make more than one ring in a year — while they are saplings at least — I am certain, 

 having tested it. The exact number they do make would, however, take a bit of careful investigation, 

 which could perhaps be best found out by some older settler who knew of a tree planted, say thirty or 

 forty years ago. 



E. globulus Labill. — • 



Two trees were planted at the same time on the south side of the Observatory Reserve, in trenched 

 and manured ground. The larger of these trees, that at the south-west corner of the ground, measures 

 3 ft. 10 in. round 3 feet above the ground. The other one near the cottage measures 3 ft. 5^ in. ; 

 they were small pot plants when put in and would now be 16 years old. They do not seem to be 

 growing vigorously, perhaps this is not to be wondered at as the roots cannot penetrate the solid sandstone 

 which is close to the surface where they grow. 



The tree in Observatory Park is now IG years old and is 3 ft. 10 in. round, 3 feet above the 

 ground, or 6i inches less than the tree at Lake George, which is a year younger. The trees on Mount 

 Victoria measured about 63 inches round after fifty years' growth, and the measures on the Lake George 

 tree (believed to be E. viminalis) seem to justify us in assuming that it enlarged uniformly year after year. 

 Therefore, at fifteen years, the Observatory Park Sydney) tree measured 43 inches. (Russell, loc. cit.) 



