56 
GROUP III. E. SALIGNA. E. SIDEROXYLON. 
E. saligna and E. botryoides are so closely related that Peters [ 
often find difficulty in distinguishing between them. With trees n the s pl g 
stage it may be impossible to make a positive determination. Later. when m t ty 
has been reached, the bark habits of the two trees will appear n clearer contrast 
and usually dismiss all doubts. E. saligna is a smooth-barked tree from near the 
around; E. botryoides is heavily clothed with rough dead bark from base to 
branches. The specific name saligna means willow-like, but does not help us 
distinguishing this species from many otheis. 
42. E. SIDEROXYLON A. Cunningham. 
NATURAL HABITAT, DESCRIPTION, AND USES. 
This is one of the most widely distributed of the ironbarks, being a constituent 
of the native forests on hilly country in Victoria, New South Wales, and southern 
Queensland, and ascending the eastern slopes of the mountains to altitudes o 
about 2,000ft. It is a species that can grow on poor land provided the substratum 
permits free penetration of its roots. The tree is small to medium in size. Its 
natural tendency is to develop a crooked stem with open and spreading top. It 
must therefore be planted in close stands or with othei tiees to ensuie the 
formation of straight stems of sufficient length for wire poles. 
The dead bark persists on the stem and large branches. On older trees it is 
very hard and thick, deeply furrowed, and of a dark “burnt greasy cake shade. 
The leaves in the juvenile stage are usually very narrow and already stalked; on 
the adult tree of medium length and width, leathery, and of the same slaty or dull 
silver green on the two surfaces. Umbel with three to five flowers; stalk and 
stalklets both about !£in. long; lid of bud conical or long and contracted towards 
apex; anthers with terminal openings. Ripe seed-cup about %in. deep and of 
nearly equal width, presenting with its stalklet a shape somewhat like that of a 
goblet; valves often five in number, deeply sunk below rim. In this and one or 
two other species the dead stamens usually remain adherent to the interior of the 
orifice after the valves have opened and the seed has fallen from the cells. 
The mature wood of this ironbark is deep red in colour, dense, and very 
heavy. Its reputation for strength and durability is not quite equal to that of 
E. paniculata ; but it is a true ironbark with the general merits of that distinguished 
group. All reports agree that the quite mature red heartwood of this species will 
last a very long time in contact with the ground or in any other trying situation. 
CULTIVATION IN NEW ZEALAND. 
Our experience in New Zealand strongly tends to confirm these reports from 
Australia. Many specimens of E. sideroocylon were about forty years ago planted 
with other eucalypts on railway reserves south and north of Auckland. Within 
recent years some of the trees have been cut down and utilized for fence posts. 
The stems of these trees contained a very high percentage of red heartwood of 
a density and appearance that could leave no doubt about good lasting quality. 
Time has yet to decide how long these posts will last, but a period of thirty years 
seems to be quite reasonably anticipated. 
