Thread: Another non-commerciaal wood - Mallotus

Very interesting Ian.

Not directly related, but just wanted to say that your knowledge of, and interest in understanding different species of trees is at the fore of my mind every time I wonder about a local timber. My wife recently completed some study which had a component on flora classification, which I found fascinating.

Anyway, between the two of you I’ve been prompted to take an active interest in understanding the local trees and the characteristics of the woods they produce. So thanks for sparking an interest.

Lance, I'm only a rank amateur when it comes to botany - I have a higher authority too, a botanist friend with lots of books & keys & he knows how to use them. When I try to key something out, I either get lost by the terminology, or end up at something that is restricted to a small area of the Kimberleys, or only known from a single specimen in another state!

Someone who takes their tree id'ing very seriously, and does some nifty presentations of them is our forum member TTIT...

Cheers,

Ian

Your introduction of Mallatus reminded me of another tree I had dismissed: Corymbia Torelliana, commonly called Cadaghi. It reminded me, not because it is similar but because I dismissed it.
We had one of these trees in our yard by the side of the house and it was threatening the structure with large, overhanging limbs. Together with another couple of trees we had it removed and the tree lopper rubbished the Cadaghi. However, it occurs to me that it should probably occupy a similar position in the woodworker’s world to the Camphor Laurel.

CADAGHI TO BE DECLARED A NOXIOUS WEED?

While it is not classified as a noxious weed (yet) unlike the Camphor, it presents serious issues to the environment, which it would appear that my tree lopper knew about as he was very derogatory in his comments. I should have kept some of the timber. I have since read that it turns quite well for example and may have had other uses as identified in the link above.

I have given various timbers a “chance” in the past so I am not sure why I did not try that one: Pity because it was the largest of the trees we had removed.

Cadaghi.jpg

Our tree was similar in form to this with a nice straight trunk.

Regards
Paul

Paul, if you really want to get your teeth into a Cadaghi, I've got several in my yard & at least one really should get the chop - it's about the same size or slightly bigger than the one in your pic. The wood looks interesting, I was given a small bit once and it was rather coarse. It's a lot softer than its cousin C. maculata (Spotted Gum) & the bit I had turned easily.

The best definition of "A Weed" is, "A plant you don't like". C. torreliana was originally confined to a small strip of coast north of Townsville, and it first came to my notice in the 60s when folks of my age started planting "natives" in a serious way. The torellianas were much favoured for their resilience & their rapid growth, but they soon fell out of favour because they are a bit too eager to grow, and they have a filthy habit. For some reason, they etain juvenile leaves for a very long time (trees I know that are >50 years old still have mainly juvenile leaves), & these secrete a sugary exudate, which grows a sooty mould, which is why the trees often look black, but worse, the sugar drops on anything left under the tree, bringing mould with it & coats everything with a sticky black gunk. Folks who've left cars parked under them for a few days tend to regret that decision very much! Its other (un)endearing habit is that it seeds prolifically, and has become quite invasive around our area.

Some species just lack any sense of etiquette - they hog resources & push out competitors, breed like flies, & spread all over the world. Seagulls, Mynhas, Rabbits, Lantana, torelliana, humans........

Cheers,

Ian

I might take you up on the offer and I am sure we can come to some mutual arrangement. I will be in touch for the next time I travel at a convenient time to Brissy.

My definition of a weed is "a plant that grows out of place."

The disturbing issue about Cadaghi is the unfortunate effect it has on bees, which is in addition to the prolific seeding aspect.

Regards
Paul

So that's what the ruddy things are called; Cadaghis!

My neighbour had a few of them on our border; two or three are still standing. They are absolute burgers for dropping leaves everywhere and covering everything in sooty mould; they are right next to my carport/outdoor workshop so everytime I come home I have to clean up.

Ian,I think you have your species wrong. The more common one is Mallotus philippensis commonly called Kamala. It is the one with the red powder used for dye on the seeds. The one you have mentioned is Mallotus discolour with yellow fleshy seeds. I have sawn up a little philippensis but no discolour. Yes, many of these usual woods are very interesting and very good but almost totally unknown. I'm always looking for unusual species to saw up.

Originally Posted by Bob Whitworth

Ian,I think you have your species wrong......

Um, yes, quite likely Bob! I have never managed to catch one fruiting, which seems to be the most reliable way for an amateur like me to differentiate, so I was going on what I could find on the interweb. I'm in the range of both species, & I took a punt on discolor because on one site it said that was the more common species in "araucarian microphyll vine forest", which describes the habitat along the creek behind my place, where there are many of them. Is there any way a non-botanist like myself can differentiate easily, other than by the fruit? I've got two good-sized specimens in my yard, so I'll watch them closely this Spring & Summer & try to get pics of flowers & fruits...

Cheers,