Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Jan 04, 2011 8:17 pm We have a gorgeous old gum tree in our back yard that we love. Next door neighbour had planning permission turned down on her carport 3 times because of it and told us the other day it was a 'federation gum'. We presume this means it was here at the time of the federation, but other than that we're stuck. Here's a couple of pics - would be grateful if anyone could take a guess so I could say, "yeah, that's a ...." next time someone admires it Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Those pictures don't really do justice to the breadth of the trunk unfortunately. Thanks Re: Name that Gum - anyone any good at this? 2Jan 05, 2011 12:35 am I got no idea but its a ripper! Absolutely beautiful Re: Name that Gum - anyone any good at this? 4Jan 05, 2011 9:18 am I know Fu, it's absolutely beautiful! It's actually what clinched buying this property for us. Some of it's branches had to get removed a few years back after one dropped on the dingo enclosure (yes, the people here before had dingos, which used to keep the neighbours awake at night howling), and it's still dropping little ones now and then, but for the most part it's very healthy. Hi Redman - will have a scout around under the tree but I've no chance if there are non ****** around as the lowest branch is way out of reach of our ladder We have three other large gums on the property and will try to get pics & leaf / gum nuts from them as we've no idea what they are either. They all have different bark from each other too, so I think they're different. No idea though - gums are so confusing! Name that Gum - anyone any good at this? 5Jan 05, 2011 9:22 am The very best thing to do is enlist the services of a qualified arborist. Get a management plan together for the tree. He will identify it and identify weak branches. A tree like that deserves a qualified arborist. Re: Name that Gum - anyone any good at this? 6Jan 05, 2011 9:57 am We're hoping to get someone in over the next couple of weeks to take a look at all our trees, we have about 12 or so in total (though not sure the huge camellias, banksia, fig tree and half dead lemon that's growing in the shade, count as trees), but the guys round here are so busy that the last 2 we've asked to give us quotes didn't even turn up! I need that stupidly placed laurel down before I can't put the fence up down the side of the new garden. Anyway, if anyone in the Belgrave (VIC 3160) area can recommend a good and RELIABLE arborist, I'd appreciate it Re: Name that Gum - anyone any good at this? 7Jan 05, 2011 11:04 am I know in Brisbane you can take photos and leaf samples to the Mt Cootha botanic gardens as they offer a free plant identification service, you may have the same service at the botanic gardens in Melbourne. Cheers Lou http://take2-customdesigndownslope.blogspot.com 07-10-09 omg they have cut the block 14-05-10 we finally have the keys Name that Gum - anyone any good at this? 8Jan 05, 2011 11:21 am Like Redman suggested, try get the flower and seed/ nut in addition to leaf. Re: Name that Gum - Photos & Description of everything but r 9Jan 05, 2011 2:11 pm Okay, I scouted around and managed to get hold of a couple of small twigs (or whatever they're called!) that had come off. There are no other gums in the immediate vicinity, so I'm pretty sure these are the right ones. So, here we go Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Features as I can work out:
Leaves - alternate, with oblique leaf base and stalk approx. 2cm long. Same silvery green colour top and bottom, approx 11cm long & 2cm at widest point. Flower buds - Umbel (I believe that's the phrase!) of flower buds, with caps intact. Buds are tiny and come to a apex. Gumnuts - Cluster of nuts, NOT fused, and I think they would be described as hemispeherical. The disc is very narrow and appears to slope inwards and the valves are enclosed in the fruit. I hope this helps ID it, as I'd really like to know what kind of tree it is so I can know something of it's history and how much longer it's likely to live. Also, you'll see the withered berry like thing on one of the leaves in the flower bud picture. What is this? Both this tree and a younger one in our neighbours garden, which I'm pretty sure is the same species, had clusters of these on leaves over the past 2 months. They really did look exactly like berries, but on the leaves. Typically, I now can't find any to take a picture of Re: Name that Gum - anyone any good at this? 11Jan 05, 2011 8:21 pm Just a rough guess Eucalyptus sideroxylon? Ironbark? Wouldn't bet my new house on it though Do we win a car if we guess it? www.themaxbuild.blogspot.com forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20717&start=300 www.leahspaperpassion.blogspot.com Name that Gum - anyone any good at this? 12Jan 05, 2011 11:40 pm Have a wonderful tree lover on twitter following this up for us. My instincts go with what themax has suggested so let's see what unfolds Re: Name that Gum - anyone any good at this? 13Jan 06, 2011 4:56 am I am looking at a hybrid. Ironbark? maybe - leaves + redish timber. But its got the bark of a stringybark The tops are grey? The base is Reddish + flaky. Pointing to a stringybark + box combo. The nuts and structure are ironbark related so I doubt its a bloodwood. Eucalyptus are a challenge. Just when you think you have it, nope... Just when you think you you can pick a common trait in barks you arrive at Wingan Inlet and the Eucalyptus throws another curve ball. Re: Name that Gum - anyone any good at this? 15Jan 06, 2011 8:28 pm Sorry, started to reply earlier then my children decided to compete to see who could scream the loudest. Wouldn't mind, but they've had me up since 3am and we had the arborist here at 9am to look at the tree we're having down. Anyway, the arborist reckons it's some sort of narrow leaved peppermint (I got him to tell me what a lot of the trees & shrubs I didn't recognise were whilst he was here ) and I think he's on the right track as these apparently have fibrous persistent bark, with shorter fibres & the bark being paler in colour than that of a stringybark. All of these fit, except that the leaves don't smell of anything much when you crush them, let alone pepperminty. themax - I'm in Belgrave, in the Dandenongs and you definitely won't win a car, for missing the fact that I mentioned before it had stringy and fibrous bark over both the trunk and limbs. Just as well you didn't bet your house, because it can't be an ironbark and therefore not a sideroxylon. Redman, the trunk is only reddish in those particular spots you see on the photo. It's too high up for me to check, but I assume it's sap that's caused that. It is pale and stringy all over really, oh, and it has a big butt (ahem) which I've read is common of certain peppermints. I quite like the idea of it being a peppermint, just wish it smelled like that. So, still looking to narrow it down if this helps anyone any On another note, the arborist recommended a book on native fauna, but he didn't know the name of it and I didn't quite catch the name of the author properly. Lee Costamans or something.... does this ring any bells with anyone? Re: Name that Gum - anyone any good at this? 17Jan 07, 2011 4:04 am KerryF On another note, the arborist recommended a book on native fauna, but he didn't know the name of it and I didn't quite catch the name of the author properly. Lee Costamans or something.... does this ring any bells with anyone? Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ CSIRO Has the best one for Gums = 9000 images. (Thats over 9000!) http://www.publish.csiro.au/pid/5401.htm Sounds nuts huh? The ones used in field research cost $600 + across 5 volumes and has the same amount of pages as 4 Yellow pages complete from A - Z. The Costermans publication will get you through Uni but not much more. This will provide a great deal of information for those interested, Its a great book for starters and I do recommend it. Even a young child could read it and understand it so for that aspect, get it! There are smaller pocket books/guides that have enough info to at least ID many of the plants around you and are more localised such as the one for the Grampians - Grampians in flower. As a general guide to the most common species you will see in SE Aus its a great book with historical climates, weather, geology and so on. Its a great read for those who love this part of the world as plants are only part of the story. This tells you how they got there and why, what role fire plays, how plants deal with it and cope in harsh conditions. http://www.publish.csiro.au/pid/6148.htm After reading this book and getting a little external information you will be more than capable of walking through a Victorian forest / woodland or anywhere and know at least what Family of species you are looking at i.e Myrtaceae, Paperbark, Tea tree Eucalyptus, Bloodwood, etc. Peppermints have narrow leaves, typically 150mm max in length, wooly brown butts and bark that extends all the way to the crown. Typically they are finger like. Yours are not. Yours are more like that of an ironbark. They are rounded at the base, broad and with a slight offset curvature. Unless you grabbed the wrong leaves? The one across the road is shedding now, leaves everywhere = good smelling mulch. It may even be a Peppermint X obliqua without the offset leaf join. The dry leaves have a strong eucalyptus scent with a hint of peppermint. Peppermints have a very strong aroma especially when wet. They are also a medium sized tree (up to 15 meters) AFAIK. From across the road, a narrow leafed peppermint Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I still think its a hybrid. Re: Name that Gum - anyone any good at this? 18Jan 07, 2011 7:58 am KerryF . Anyway, the arborist reckons it's some sort of narrow leaved peppermint (I got him to tell me what a lot of the trees & shrubs I didn't recognise were whilst he was here ) and I think he's on the right track as these apparently have fibrous persistent bark, with shorter fibres & the bark being paler in colour than that of a stringybark. All of these fit, except that the leaves don't smell of anything much when you crush them, let alone pepperminty. This struck me as a bit strange? www.themaxbuild.blogspot.com forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20717&start=300 www.leahspaperpassion.blogspot.com Re: Name that Gum - anyone any good at this? 19Jan 07, 2011 1:31 pm themax - the lack of pepperminty smell struck me as a bit strange too! There is a nice smell in the air when it's been raining and the sun comes out, but I couldn't pinpoint where that was coming from, nor would I say it was particularly minty, more eucalyptus / tea treey (we do have a melaleuca laterita, but I don't think it's that I smell) and it could be any one of a number of gums on our property or a neighbours. Redman - thank you so much for the book info!! I knew I must have gotten the name wrong, but he agreed with me when I repeated back 'Lee'. Must be my Scottish accent Will definitely be trying to get a hold of that Costermans book. Although I find out lots of info online, I still prefer being able to hold a book in my hand and flick through it. Plus, it's a lot easier to take the book outside to look at the plant, than it is to take the PC I definitely grabbed the right leaves as it just chucked some more at me when I was hanging the washing out. They are definitely oblique leaves and are staggered, so not opposite each other. Certainly don't look as elongated as the leaves you've shown in that pic though. It does have stringybark all the way up and over the branches, it is browner at the bottom and paler as it goes up, but with those browner bits where a few limbs were deadwooded. It is pretty wide on the bottom and will get my husband to measure it when he gets home, but it's over 2m I would say. Also, cannot get a good view of the whole tree at once to work out height, but it's certainly more than 15 meters. I can now also confirm that the flowers are a creamy white, seeing as they fell on my head! Anyway, just did a google for peppermint trees of Victoria and got this google books result: http://books.google.com.au/books?id=q2v3kb9tFsYC&pg=PA590&lpg=PA590&dq=peppermint+trees+of+Victoria&source=bl&ots=N3rov7j4ND&sig=fJOgRhf4llkBNok6wwI2TIKbbiY&hl=en&ei=plomTc_xFMiXcemE1JIB&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CF8Q6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=peppermint%20trees%20of%20Victoria&f=false Will have a look at that once my toddler stops wiggling the mouse, pressing keyboard buttons, trying to shove gumnuts in my mouth and demanding peppa pig 'on the comcucumber' at the same time. Oh, and there goes the baby... Re: Name that Gum - anyone any good at this? 20Jan 08, 2011 11:40 am This is just getting too tough!! I think I'm going to try and get hold of an identification book and do some reading, as I think you're right Redman and it is a hyrbid of E. obliqua, but that doesn't seem to narrow it down any. I may do some practising on my other gums first, then go back to this one Thank you all for your help! 9 24795 Thank you. Do I use timber floorboards for stairs or do people use timber treads? Or is both the same? 6 7284 Hi, I have had them in the past and the pros are: Versatile, i.e many different colours and styles to choose… 1 6879 |