95 



The tree suckers freely after having been cut down, both from the stems, but apparently more freely from 

 the roots, when they are damaged by the plough, travelling stock, or vehicles. It emits suckers near 

 the injured part, which may be situated at some distance from the trunk. It also seeds freely, and no 

 doubt what often appear to be stickers are really seedlings. 



Oil yielding Mallees, usually found in regions of comparatively low rainfall, are cut over, and the 

 permanence of an area to the oil-distiller depends upon the care with which the coppicing is carried out. 

 I will take some typical Mallees in the Wyalong district, New South Wales, with the view of inviting 

 attention to the research required in this direction from the point of view of the forester. I would like 

 to see inquiries as to the coppicing powers of all Eucalypts carried out by the various forestry administrations 

 of the States and the results carefully co-ordinated. 



E. regnans F.v.M. — Mr. D. Ingle, Forester, of Healesville, Victoria, gave the 

 following note many years ago : — 



A peculiarity of our Mountain Ash is that if ringbarked, cut off stump high or otherwise, or burnt 

 badly, i.e., the head burnt or scorched off (leaves, I mean), it never throws off suckers or side shoots, but 

 dies right out. I have been observing this fact for two or three years now, and lately have made inquiries 

 from selectors, splitters, and millmen, and I find that no one has known this species to throw shoots under 

 the circumstances mentioned, although they don't seem to have recorded it. 



E. fruticetorum F.v.M. — Coppices freely, both from roots and stem. Owing 

 to its suckering proclivities, it is a difficult matter to entirely eradicate it from cultivation 

 paddocks. The New South Wales Forestry Regulations for the cutting of this particular 

 Mallee require that it be cut down close to the ground, the result being that in six months 

 after being cut down it sends forth many young growths, which yield more abundant 

 and richer material for the oil distiller. At 3-4 feet high its growth is rapid. It 

 apparently does not deteriorate, at least rapidly, with coppicing. So favourable has 

 been its development that steps are being taken to plant up certain areas of the district 

 with seedlings. 



'-■ 



E. Behriana F.v.M. — The leaves are not used by the oil distiller, although it is 

 very common ; its timber is used for rough carpentry and firewood. It coppices freely, 

 either on the stems or from the roots or stools. Owing to its comparatively large size, 

 the removal of the plants from a cultivation paddock appear more complete, no doubt 

 owing to the more thorough measures adopted for eradicating it, either by axe, mattock, 

 or spade. The method adopted in the case of the smaller mallees is more slip-shod, 

 they being usually rolled down and ploughed out, but the larger Mallees cannot be so 

 treated. It was noted in a cleared and deserted paddock that the Mallees were again 

 taking possession, both E. fruticetorum and E. Behriana seeming to succeed equally 

 well. 



E. acacioides A. Cunn. — This is a small tree as a rule, but if cut down it sends 

 forth many new growths from the root, stems, and branches. It is of no value as an 

 oil producer, hence it is not valued. It bears a bad name because of the difficulty of 

 eradicating it from cultivated ground. The usual cutting-down process does no more 

 than increase the number of stems, indicating the real Mallee-like character of the plant # 

 It is even said to be a pest of the district because of its uselessness. 



