Huon Pine – Lagarostrobos franklinii
Natural History
Other Names: Macquarie Pine
Distinctive Characteristics: The Huon Pine is a conifer— not a pine, but of the Podocarpaceae Family, having finely overlapping, tightly packed scales, not needles. One of Australia's longest-lived species, fossils have been dated at 10–20 million years old. It is also one of the few conifers that can form clonal thickets by vegetative reproduction. For example, a branch touching the ground, or one that has broken off, can form roots. It can also reproduce by its tiny, 3 mm-long cones. Because they are able to clone themselves genetically, much like aspens, they can reproduce themselves continually over thousands of years. One Huon pine stand—considered one organism, interconnected underground—has been dated at 10,500–15,000 years old! Since they are also slow-growing (only 1 mm per year), the wood grain is dense with narrow growth rings; the girth of the trunk is no indication of its age. Extremely fragrant and rot-resistant, because of the oil methyl eugenol, its wood is so durable that logs buried for thousands of years can still be milled.
Distribution: Native to 10,500 ha. of remnant riparian and subalpine forest in southwest Tasmania, Australia. Mostly in reserves, including Mt. Read, Tahune Forest Reserve, Teepookana Forest Reserve, Arthur-Pieman River State Reserve, and Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Elevation: 1,640–3,300 ft. (500–1,000 m).
Ecosystem: Cool, temperate rainforest (nanophyll moss forest) and subalpine forest, along the banks of rivers or near swampy flats or lakes, often with its roots in water. Grows with Myrtle Beech, Southern Sassafras, Leatherwood, King Billy Pine, Pencil Pine, Cheshunt Pine, Creeping Pine, Toothed Orites, Tanglefoot Beech, Celery Top Pine, Blackwood, and Laurel.
Maximum Age: Individuals estimated at 3,000–5,000 years old; stands of genetically cloned trees are estimated at 10,000–15,000 years old.
Maximum Height and Girth: Up to 125 ft. (38 m) in height; over 18.5 ft. (5.6 m) in circumference.
Traditional Uses: There were most likely many uses of this tree.
Medicine: Because of its antimicrobial properties, the oil has been used for dressing wounds, treating toothaches, and as an insecticide.
Modern Uses: The wood has been highly prized—more than any other Australian wood—for its beautiful, smooth, tight grain, its creamy golden color, and its lightness, fragrance, and rot-resistance. The wood is valued for making boats, furniture, and fine artisan crafts.
Threats and Conservation: While 90% of the remaining stands are protected in reserves, including a world heritage site, the species itself is not considered threatened. Living trees can no longer legally be cut, but there is still wood available from logs destroyed by mining, fire, flooding from hydroelectric construction, and from the original logging period.
Distinctive Characteristics: The Huon Pine is a conifer— not a pine, but of the Podocarpaceae Family, having finely overlapping, tightly packed scales, not needles. One of Australia's longest-lived species, fossils have been dated at 10–20 million years old. It is also one of the few conifers that can form clonal thickets by vegetative reproduction. For example, a branch touching the ground, or one that has broken off, can form roots. It can also reproduce by its tiny, 3 mm-long cones. Because they are able to clone themselves genetically, much like aspens, they can reproduce themselves continually over thousands of years. One Huon pine stand—considered one organism, interconnected underground—has been dated at 10,500–15,000 years old! Since they are also slow-growing (only 1 mm per year), the wood grain is dense with narrow growth rings; the girth of the trunk is no indication of its age. Extremely fragrant and rot-resistant, because of the oil methyl eugenol, its wood is so durable that logs buried for thousands of years can still be milled.
Distribution: Native to 10,500 ha. of remnant riparian and subalpine forest in southwest Tasmania, Australia. Mostly in reserves, including Mt. Read, Tahune Forest Reserve, Teepookana Forest Reserve, Arthur-Pieman River State Reserve, and Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Elevation: 1,640–3,300 ft. (500–1,000 m).
Ecosystem: Cool, temperate rainforest (nanophyll moss forest) and subalpine forest, along the banks of rivers or near swampy flats or lakes, often with its roots in water. Grows with Myrtle Beech, Southern Sassafras, Leatherwood, King Billy Pine, Pencil Pine, Cheshunt Pine, Creeping Pine, Toothed Orites, Tanglefoot Beech, Celery Top Pine, Blackwood, and Laurel.
Maximum Age: Individuals estimated at 3,000–5,000 years old; stands of genetically cloned trees are estimated at 10,000–15,000 years old.
Maximum Height and Girth: Up to 125 ft. (38 m) in height; over 18.5 ft. (5.6 m) in circumference.
Traditional Uses: There were most likely many uses of this tree.
Medicine: Because of its antimicrobial properties, the oil has been used for dressing wounds, treating toothaches, and as an insecticide.
Modern Uses: The wood has been highly prized—more than any other Australian wood—for its beautiful, smooth, tight grain, its creamy golden color, and its lightness, fragrance, and rot-resistance. The wood is valued for making boats, furniture, and fine artisan crafts.
Threats and Conservation: While 90% of the remaining stands are protected in reserves, including a world heritage site, the species itself is not considered threatened. Living trees can no longer legally be cut, but there is still wood available from logs destroyed by mining, fire, flooding from hydroelectric construction, and from the original logging period.
