Tree: Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon)

A fast-growing small to large attractive tree which thrives in the Kinglake district, living to over 50 years. Commonly found where rainfall exceeds 600mm as it likes deep/moist well drained soils.

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Image credits: Image 1 - Roger Cook KLG | Image 2 - Roger Cook KLG | Image 3 - Roger Cook KLG

Information

	Features Fast growing small to large attractive tree from 5m to over 30 metres high and 4m to 15 metres wide which thrives in the Kinglake district, living to over 50 years. Commonly found where rainfall exceeds 600mm (such as the Kinglake district with its average 1200mm per year) as it likes deep/moist well drained soils. Foliage usually dark green, bark dark grey, hard and fissured. Flowers late winter to early spring (August-October) with 2-8 pale creamy heads on almost hairless stalks. Pale brown seedpods becoming twisted with a doubled red supporting attachment (funicle) inside surrounding the seed.
	Habitat Attracts a variety of animals. Flowers: nectar and pollen food for insects and birds. Seeds: including the funicle consumed by birds and insects (Cockatoos, Rosellas, King Parrots). Leaves: food for Ringtail Possums and even Koalas when Eucalypts unavailable. Gum: Sugar Gliders wound the trunk to encourage sap. Shelter: birds, insects, spiders in the foliage and bark.
	Uses Aboriginal use: Indigenous name: Burn-na-look. Inner bark fibre used for string, fishing lines, also provided weapons (woomeras, shields and throwing sticks), and medicine (bark infusion for rheumatic joints).  Leaves used to poison water to catch fish. Other uses: Adds beneficial nitrogen to the soil. The mature heartwood has a similarity to Mahogany/Teak and has been used in cabinetwork, veneers, fine furniture and has been considered the “Rolls Royce” of wood for spinning wheels. Has been used for billiard tables, gun stocks, boat building, railway carriages, etc. Ideal for ornament, shade, screen or windbreak/shelterbelt in high rainfall zones. Excellent fuel (but perhaps wasted as such).
	Propagation Regenerates naturally from seed particularly after fire disturbance. Hard seed germinates after nicking or treating with boiling water and soaking overnight.
	Notes Good fire-retardant tree for fire prone areas as it does not contain flammable oils like Eucalypts. What looks like leaves are actually flattened phyllodes or stems. Bipinnate juvenile leaves sometimes persist on younger plants. Tends to sucker if roots damaged.

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