| The botanical term for a blackwood
tree is acacia melanoxylon. Acacias are wattle trees and the
blackwood is the largest of them all. Unlike most acacias, this
tree is long lived which accounts for the quality of its timber.
It is also frost hardy and occurs in the richer soils and humid
forests of mainland eastern Australia and Tasmania. It is especially
suited to the Otway Ranges in Victoria and older blackwood trees
on the southern side of the ridge produce a timber almost unrivalled
in quality. This largest of the wattles can grow to almost 30
metres in height and yields a dark brown timber with blackish
streaks which is prized for cabinet making. If planted in the
open it has a spreading bushy crown and a short thick trunk.
The leaves are a dark, dull green and the profuse balls of pale,
yellow flowers appear in spring. It is quick growing and self
seeds readily. |
