Loving Our Eucs - A Year in the Life of a Eucalypt
-
![]()
Winter 2021
Species:
Location: Buttercup Road, Merrijig
Photographer: Nicola Beautyman
-
![]()
Spring 2021
-
![]()
Summer 2021/2022
-
![]()
Autumn 2022
-
![]()
Winter 2021
Species: Eucalyptus camaldulensis, River Red Gum
Tree age: 100+ years
Location: Long Lane, Mansfield
Photographer: Amanda Swaney
The tree is a very beautiful specimen growing on a property sited on Long Lane, Mansfield. It would be 40m high and is a vigorous specimen with its roots in a dam and with access to good quality soil.
In 2021 the tree dropped a very large bough and brought down 2 other boughs as it fell. It would appear that there was some disease in the main joint area and as the bough grew larger the weight was too great for the tree to support.
The twisted timber has been cleared and cut up but the base remains to be sawn and stacked in the 2022 winter. So often the boughs fall when the day is absolutely calm with no wind and the thump of the heavy timber hitting the ground can be heard long distances away.
-
![]()
Spring 2021
-
![]()
Autumn 2022
Sadly, owing to 2 major limbs falling in 2021 it no longer has the imposing shape of previous times. It is trying to regrow and you can see a new sprouting of leaves on the lower trunk area. It does seem healthy and we look forward to new and substantial growth in the coming years.
-
![]()
Winter 2021
Species: Eucalyptus camaldulensis, River Red Gum
Tree age:
Location: Great Victorian Rail Trail, Mansfield
Photographer: Sue Hare
-
![]()
Spring 2021
-
![]()
Summer 2021/2022
-
![]()
Autumn 2022
-
![]()
Winter 2021
Species: Eucalyptus camaldulensis, River Red Gum
Tree age: 100+ years
Location: Great Victorian Rail Trail, Mansfield
Photographer: Sue Hare
A beautiful old tree surrounded by saplings, ensuring continued diversity and habitat along the rail trail.
-
![]()
Spring 2021
-
![]()
Summer 2021/2022
-
![]()
Autumn 2022
-
![]()
Winter 2021
Species: Eucalyptus camaldulensis, River Red Gum
Location: Great Victorian Rail Trail, Mansfield
Photographer: Sue Hare
-
![]()
Spring 2021
-
![]()
Summer 2021/2022
-
![]()
Autumn 2022
-
![]()
Winter 2021
Species: Eucalyptus camaldulensis, River Red Gum
Location: Great Victorian Rail Trail, Mansfield
Photographer: Sue Hare
-
![]()
Spring 2021
-
![]()
Summer 2021/2022
-
![]()
Autumn 2022
-
![]()
Winter 2021
Species: Eucalyptus camaldulensis, River Red Gum
A big paddock tree with new plantings behind it.
Location: Rifle Butts Road, Mansfield
Photographer: John Gilson
-
![]()
Summer 2021/2022
Eucalyptus camaldulensis, River Red Gum
Location: Broken River area, Mansfield.
Eucalyptus melliodora, Yellow Box
A sickly looking Yellow box, with mistletoe, surrounded by recruiting seedlings.
Location: Broken River area, Mansfield.
Eucalyptus melliodora, Yellow Box
This yellowbox has a number of mistletoe on its branches.
Location: Broken River area, Mansfield.
Mistletoes grow in a wide range of trees, eucalypts being a favourite. Mistletoes are semi-parasitic, they have chlorophyll in their leaves and can manufacture their own food. Mistletoe need a host to provide it with water and support - they use the host as a root system, and often mimic the foliage of their host tree.
Despite their bad reputation, mistletoes are important - even beneficial. Their flowers, fruit, nectar and leaves are all highly nutritious and a wide range of wildlife depends on them - koalas, sugar gliders, possums, birds and insects.
Eucalyptus camaldulensis, River Red Gum
Age: 100+
Location: Boorolite
Yet to be identified but probably Eucalyptus camaldulensis, River Red Gum
Age: Over 80 years old
Location: Boorolite
Eucalyptus camaldulensis, River Red Gum
Age: Very old, I’ll get back to you
Location: Boorolite
An old majestic paddock tree, if you look closely you will see the star pickets stored inside the tree, and tyre swing hanging on the left. Shelter for stock, habitat for wildlife, play equipment and cubby for children and storage for the farmer.
Eucalyptus camaldulensis, River Red Gum
Age: 150 years +
Location: Dead Horse Lane
Eucalyptus camaldulensis, River Red Gum
Age: 150 years +
Location: Dead Horse Lane