Red Cedar – Toona ciliata var. Australis
Natural History
Other Names: Toon or Toona, Burma Cedar, Indian Cedar, Indian Mahogany, Moulmein Cedar, Australian Red Cedar, cedrela, Queensland Red Cedar, mamin polai, woolia mugurpul, woota
Distinctive Characteristics: This is one of Australia's few deciduous rainforest trees. New foliage is bright red and stands out distinctively. As it matures, the base of the trunk buttresses.
Distribution: It is not a true cedar (belonging to the Genus Cedrus), nor is it related to the Cedars found in Europe or North America. Native from northeast Queensland to southeastern New South Wales, Australia. Elevation: from sea level to 5,000 ft. (1,500 m). Also found in China, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Phillipines, Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal, and Papua New Guinea.
Ecosystem: Found in a range of rainforest types, from warm temperate to subtropical and tropical. Associated with Red Carabeen, Sassafras, Yellow Carabeen, Silver Quondong, Native Tamarind, Morton Bay Fig, and occasionally Hoop Pine.
Maximum Age: Over 500 years old.
Maximum Height and Girth: 197 ft. (60 m) in height; 38 ft. (11.5 m) in circumference.
Traditional Uses: There were likely many traditional uses of this tree.
Medicine: The leaves have antibacterial, antifungal, and analgesic properties.
Modern Uses: Referred to as "red gold," the timber was highly valued and heavily exploited by early settlers, who logged it extensively for furniture, wood paneling, and construction, including shipbuilding.
Threats and Conservation: While mature trees are rare, the species is not threatened.
Distinctive Characteristics: This is one of Australia's few deciduous rainforest trees. New foliage is bright red and stands out distinctively. As it matures, the base of the trunk buttresses.
Distribution: It is not a true cedar (belonging to the Genus Cedrus), nor is it related to the Cedars found in Europe or North America. Native from northeast Queensland to southeastern New South Wales, Australia. Elevation: from sea level to 5,000 ft. (1,500 m). Also found in China, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Phillipines, Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal, and Papua New Guinea.
Ecosystem: Found in a range of rainforest types, from warm temperate to subtropical and tropical. Associated with Red Carabeen, Sassafras, Yellow Carabeen, Silver Quondong, Native Tamarind, Morton Bay Fig, and occasionally Hoop Pine.
Maximum Age: Over 500 years old.
Maximum Height and Girth: 197 ft. (60 m) in height; 38 ft. (11.5 m) in circumference.
Traditional Uses: There were likely many traditional uses of this tree.
Medicine: The leaves have antibacterial, antifungal, and analgesic properties.
Modern Uses: Referred to as "red gold," the timber was highly valued and heavily exploited by early settlers, who logged it extensively for furniture, wood paneling, and construction, including shipbuilding.
Threats and Conservation: While mature trees are rare, the species is not threatened.
