60 
GROUP IV. E. FASTIGATA. 
very broad; those of adult tree up to Gin. long, of same gieen on two , s . ^ 
Umbel with 6 to 9 flowers; lid of bud low; anthers kidney-shaped ^th divergent 
but united openings. Ripe seed-cup km. wide and a little les, P > 
thick, slightly convex, and dull red; valves small and near y concec y 
Mature wood pale, fissile, highly valued locally for quality and dural y. 
CULTIVATION IN NEW ZEALAND. 
Thrifty specimens may be seen in the State forests at Whakarewarewa and in 
the plantations at Wesley Training College, Paerata. The 
trial on our northern uplands and in low and areas of the South Island, b . d 
should be obtained from competently selected trees in the Glen Innes distnc , 
New South Wales. 
47. E. FASTIGATA Deane and Maiden. 
NATURAL HABITAT, DESCRIPTION, AND USES. 
The native home of this species is on the eastern uplands of V ictoria and New 
South Wales. The tree grows very rapidly to a large size, branching heavi y m 
open situations, but forming a long clean bole when closely surrounded by other 
trees. The stem and large branches are covered with persistent dead bark, which 
is distinctly fibrous, but not quite so tough as that of some other stringybarks. 
The leaves in the juvenile and adult stages are not very different. I hev are 
stalked, thin, broad, but in the adult stage with gradual taper to both apex and 
stalk (petiole), edgewise or vertically suspended, and of about the same green on 
the two surfaces. The sloping or tapering shape of the adult tree leaf is an 
obvious character, and, together with the shape of the bud, gave choice to the 
specific name fastigata. The umbels are usually produced m pairs m the axils 
(angles) of the leaves, the number of flowers m each being often large. .Lid ol 
bud pointed but short; anthers kidney-shaped with divergent openings. Ripe 
seed-cup about kin. deep by 5/16in. wide, whip-top-shaped, and almost mvana i y 
three-celled; the three valves while closed forming with the rising rim a smooth 
dome, and when open protruding beyond it. 
The mature wood is pale in colour, very freely fissile, excellent for sawing 
into boards and scantling, suitable for furniture, and adapted to most of the 
purposes for which ash wood is used. How long the quite mature wood will last 
in contact with the ground, we have not yet sufficient experience to say. Reports 
from New South Wales, together with the appearance of the fresh timber and 
of logs that have for a considerable time been lying on the ground exposed to the 
weather, seem to warrant an expectation of ten to fifteen years. Effective 
application of preservatives might add another ten years to that period. 
CULTIVATION IN NEW ZEALAND. 
The value of an otherwise well commended timber tree is greatly increased 
by rapidity of growth and wide climatic range. E. fastigata can claim both of 
these merits. Numerous trees in the Railway Reserve at Papakura, when only 
thirty-two years old had reached heights up to 100ft., and diameters of 3ft. to 4ft. 
