Thread: Macaranga tanarius (parasol leaf tree)

Feckit are you certain this is Macaranga tanarius?
Cant seem to find any pics on the net pertaining to the appearance of the wood from this species...nothing!
Only mention is the grain is generally fairly straight...slightly interlocked at times and limited use for the timber itself
Really looks to be from Proteaceae family with prominent medullary rays as opposed to Euphorbiaceae family
Curious...MM

MM, certainty is very high. I first seen the tree with the HQPlantations production manager who asked if I knew what it was, I suggested that it maybe some kind of Doll Wood (Cotton Wood). After much searching I settled on Macaranga tanarius principally because of the leaf.

The following is the bark;

M5.jpg

Originally Posted by Feckit

MM, certainty is very high. I first seen the tree with the HQPlantations production manager who asked if I knew what it was, I suggested that it maybe some kind of Doll Wood (Cotton Wood). After much searching I settled on Macaranga tanarius principally because of the leaf.

The following is the bark;

M5.jpg

Bark shown on these examples are nothing like Macaranga tanarius Feckit...i am definatly leaning towards an Oak of some description(the timber actually resembles Macadamia species)...MM

Apologies for the last photo, it was crap. I just chained this piece out for a better shot, and to start cutting;

M6.jpg

Considering the information on the link below I'd say it's as good as, also the leaf is the same.

Identify Australian Rainforest Tree Species by Leaf Characteristics, Photos and Descriptions

The timber of Macaranga tanarius is 'White' in colour apparently...MM

I'd be interested to see the source for that info.

Originally Posted by Feckit

I'd be interested to see the source for that info.

N.S.W Department of Primary Industries Feckit...timber is 'White'/Soft and between 400kg-500kgm3 seasoned so fairly light weight...MM

https://www.somemagneticislandplants...ranga-tanarius this is my experience of clearing this pioneer species as a field surveyor.

http://www.worldagroforestry.org/tre...a_tanarius.PDF

I''ll post my link tomorrow...MM

Looking at the bark and the timber, I would bet it's a Macadamia nut tree. I cut one up in Maryborough a few years ago and this looks identical.
Rgds,
Crocy.

Before this thread continues much further can I just point out one thing. The tree had a parasol leaf exactly the same as a Parasol Leaf Tree, I seen it with my own eyes, it's not a Macadamia. There's a Macadamia farm just around the corner from me, I know what they look like and it wasn't a Macadamia, in fact to confuse the two would, to me at least, indicate a very high level of drug ingestion.

Originally Posted by Feckit

Before this thread continues much further can I just point out one thing. The tree had a parasol leaf exactly the same as a Parasol Leaf Tree, I seen it with my own eyes, it's not a Macadamia. There's a Macadamia farm just around the corner from me, I know what they look like and it wasn't a Macadamia, in fact to confuse the two would, to me at least, indicate a very high level of drug ingestion.

Feckit...it is NOT Macaranga Tanarius old mate...the timber and bark confirm this statement...it is NOT a drug induced observation either...again,Macaranga tanarius has WHITE coloured wood,not pink tones as in your pics...also does not have decorative grain either...and the bark is completely different in that there is no evidence of concentric scaring from where branches formally grew...all rationale suggests the photos posted are indeed another Genus/ species and not Macaranga tanarius...MM

Originally Posted by Feckit

Before this thread continues much further can I just point out one thing. The tree had a parasol leaf exactly the same as a Parasol Leaf Tree, I seen it with my own eyes, it's not a Macadamia. ....

Your first photos of the large leaves appears to be from ground plants. Any chance the tree was dead and covered with a vine of some sort with large leaves?

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Your first photos of the large leaves appears to be from ground plants. Any chance the tree was dead and covered with a vine of some sort with large leaves?

Once again a poor choice of photo, I'd have to go for a bit of a drive to get a better one.

The tree was most certainly alive. It was about 18ish meters tall with the large limbs spread slightly above horizontal, it was actually a very impressive tree, shoulda taken a photo. Anyway the leaf was absolutely without question a "Parasol Leaf". Having now done a significant amount more research I'm happy to admit that my original identification is wrong and it's not tanarius nor is it macadamia.

To add a little more context to the story, the tree came from and area that was once a forestry/ranger station. No one knows when that was established or even abandoned for that matter. Interestingly the water well for the place was timber lined. So, what this tree is, how old it is and how it got there are all unknown at the moment, but I'm going to find out.

For anyone that's interested and at the Gympie/Tin Can Bay/Tewantin ish area you can drive to this spot and have a look for yourself. The coordinates are 26°11'54.44"S 152°54'57.20"E, take the track that's opposite the Harry's Hut turn off. The Kauri Pines (Agathis microstachya), which are still there, are, on their own, worth the drive to go and look at, they are massive.