Australian Spruce

[Steve]

Okay, Australian Spruce is a little misleading. Not sure how far back along the wood-chain you guys are interested in, but I recently checked out an old arboretum, used to test out various softwood species as potential plantation options here in NSW. Amongst other stuff there was a small plot of red spruce, planted in 1941:

The biggest tree was probably about 60cm in diameter, but most were smaller & very branchy. Unfortunately I don't think that we will have a local source of Adi any time soon.

There were also a few sitka spruce trees, but they looked pretty scrappy.

The most impressive sight was the stand of sugar pines, planted in 1925:


Regards,
Steve

[Bob Connor]

Great stuff Steve. Thanks for the pics.

I've heard that there are small plantings of Californian Redwood down in the Otways.

[Steve]

There weren't any redwoods in this arboretum, but I have heard of some about. Would be interesting to know which redwood they are in the Otways. I know of some dawn redwood planted in some arboreta up my way (Metasequoia spp.). Not sure how similar this is to the coastal redwood that Bob Cefalu has for sale (Sequoia sempervirens).

Regards,
Steve

[kiwigeo]

There are a few redwoods growing around Christchurch, New Zealand. In the Botanic Gardens there are some large specimans which I spent alot of my youth lying under with various flames and I recall a high school mate having one growing in his parents front garden (going to popular with the neighbours in 200years).

[Nick]

There are a few redwoods growing around Christchurch, New Zealand. In the Botanic Gardens there are some large specimans which I spent alot of my youth lying under with various flames and I recall a high school mate having one growing in his parents front garden (going to popular with the neighbours in 200years).

I drive past two of the mighty trees on my way to work in the mornings Martin, not far from the uni on Clyde road. They're quite impressive guardians to somebody's driveway.

[Paul B]

When I was over in NZ for a holiday we saw Redwoods all over the place. Even stayed in a place called Redwood motel (or hotel, or whatever) in Picton.

[Steve]

I read that those sugar pines rival Maple for sugar content in the sap. It also said that too much of the syrup can be a bad thing due to laxative properties. Not sure if any of our North American cousins that have trouble with moderation would care to comment?

[kiwigeo]

Theres one wood supplier up in BC who must be eating too much maple syrup. Hes having severe anal retention problems

I read that those sugar pines rival Maple for sugar content in the sap. It also said that too much of the syrup can be a bad thing due to laxative properties. Not sure if any of our North American cousins that have trouble with moderation would care to comment?

[jeffhigh]

Do you mean the little Italian Plumber?

[Lillian]

From what little I know, the sap is not harvested commercially. Right now they are struggling to keep the species alive and well. There is a fungus that came from Europe about a hundred years ago that is still wrecking havoc on the trees.