Myrtle beech

Description:

A very attractive tree about 12 metres tall with patchy smooth bark in shades of pink, rust and grey; leaves dark green, 25mm long egg-shaped, mostly alternate with toothed margins and in broad fans - young growth is a beautiful red-rust colour. Fruits are a single pod with flat, winged margins about 15mm dia.

Habitat:

This one was planted within a creek boundary along with other local tree species including eucalyptus and acacia. They are endemic to a few of the mountain ranges in Victoria and much of southern Tasmania.

Notes:

" Nothofagus cunninghamii is a rainforest tree which is a major component of cool, temperate rainforests in Tasmania and in southern Victoria (eg. Otway Ranges and the Strezelecki Ranges). In areas where it occurs, the rainforest is often dominated by this species, especially in Tasmania where its most common associations are with southern sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum), leatherwood (Eucryphia lucida), 'Horizontal' (Anodopetalum biglandulosum) and also with celery-top pine (Phyllocladus aspleniifolius). The species varies from a small, stunted shrub at high altitudes, in exposed situations, to a large tree in sheltered valleys, often reaching 50 metres. The leaves are small, 7-15mm long by about the same in width, rhomboid in shape and dark green. The new shoots and leaves are reddish- bronze and most attractive. The flowers are unisexual and inconspicuous. The timber is reddish-pink and straight grained and is much used for construction and joinery. Although essentially a rainforest tree, myrtle beech will tolerate considerable exposure and a wide range of soils except those which are poor and which dry out easily. Young plants to 15cm, and established in pots, may be transplanted into a larger garden or maintained for a long period as a tub plant as it is very tolerant of pruning and shaping - tip pruning in late summer will maintain desirable size and shape as well as stimulate growth in the following spring for a beautiful display of colourful foliage. It is an excellent subject for bonsai art. " - ANPS http://asgap.org.au/n-cun.html