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Gum (E. goniocalyx) has been and may be still disposed of under the names of "Blue Gum" or "Bastard 
Blue Gum" for the true Blue Gum (E. gkbulus). The Blue Gum areas probably afford a larger supply 
than any of the other areas of first-class timber. At Mirboo North I have observed quantities of wheel 
spokes split from Spotted Gum (E. goniocalyx) sent away as Blue' Gum. (An official report (? published) 
of A. W. Howitt, dated 1895.) 
For railway sleepers we consider E. hemiphloia, E. kucoxylon, and E. rostrala to be most valuable 
and of equal value ; we do not consider the Blue Gum (E. glabulus) of such value as the others, but we 
should not object to take it if the price were a little lower, that is to say, assuming that we were in a 
position to get it. But it is always difficult to get it. The Blue Gum, when it is cut and has been sawn, 
is very difficult to tell from other timbers which are not of such great value, but if we were assured that we 
got Blue Gum we should have no hesitation in using it in association with the other three timbers I have 
mentioned for sleepers. (Evidence of Mr. Richard Speight, Chairman of Railway Commissioners, before 
the Victorian Vegetable Products Commission, 1889.) 
The next tree in order of importance is the Blue Gum (E. globulus). This well-known timber 
tree is a free grower, and runs up to 250 feet in favourable localities. It is the chief timber tree of Tasmania, 
and is there used for all constructive work, wharves, piles and bridges. The Blue Gum of Tasmania and 
Victoria are identical. 
The Blue Gum of Cape Otway is a better class of timber than that of Korumburra, the latter in 
certain parts of the district being softer in grain and subject to gum veins, and in consequence of the cellular 
tissues being larger in the wood on wot or swampy lands, it is necessarily softer, and hence is much more 
liable to shrink, warp, or twist when procured in such localities than in the drier forests of Cape Otway 
and Mount Cole. It is for this reason that trees grown on the top of a range or on the dry or sunny side 
of a hill or range are found to be more sound, harder and better in quality, than the same tree grown on the 
shady or sheltered side, or in the low swampy or wet lands of lower altitudes. 
I am aware that a prejudice exists against the use of Blue Gum in marine works here, and that 
in this matter I am quite sure an error has been made. I am distinctly of opinion, after close investigation 
of the magnificent wharves of Hobart and other constructive works in Tasmania in which Blue Gum of 
best quality has been used, that in this tree we have in Victoria and Tasmania a timber tree of enormous 
value for piles, decking, beams and other large timbers, also for railway sleepers. It is extremely probable 
that Blue Gum has been condemned in the early days of marine construction, and that inferior trees have 
been used in these works which were not Blue Gum at all ; or if Blue Gum, then inferior timber has been 
taken for the works. 
Blue Gum, if properly prepared for the saw some three months beforehand by ringbarking, is found 
to cut quite mellow on the bench, and is vastly improved by the process. The timber should never be 
ringbarked except at such times and places as will permit all trees so treated not to stand too long and 
thus get extensive suncracks and fissures, which seriously damage the wood. About three months is a 
fair time to reckon to enable the tree to get rid of the sap. ... It would prevent in a large measure 
the shrinking and twisting of the wood of the Eucalypt, which is such a great drawback to this tree. 
(Report of C. S. Perrin, Victorian Conservator of Forests, dated 1895.) 
The following account is of New South Wales E. globulus (" Eurabbie") : 
Considerable confusion has arisen between the Eurabbie and Mountain Ash (E. gigantea), but the 
former is a more valuable timber, as it will last longer in the ground and is not so likely to be attacked by 
white ants. The Mountain Ash is a rougher butted tree, found growing side by side with the Eurabbie, 
but, though very useful above ground, it very soon decays below the surface. The Eurabbie timber, when 
well seasoned, is tough and valuable for coach and buggy material, and, as the supply is not too plentiful, 
it should as far as possible be protected. Gazettal of large forest reserves such as the Burra, Bago, and 
Talbingo, have afforded some protection in the past ; and I think that in granting improvement or other 
leases of these rough mountain lands, the advisableness of protecting all valuable and promising Eurabbie 
and Mountain Ash trees should not be overlooked. When reporting on certain snow leases about seven or 
eight years ago, I called attention to the valuable Mountain Ash and Eurabbie thereon, and, as a matter of 
fact, this question has received consideration. (Staff Surveyor A. H. Chesterman, Tumut, April 26th, 
1898). 
