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Toona ciliata (In Australia, formerly known as Toona australis)
Red Cedar (Toona ciliata) is a forest tree in the mahogany family which grows throughout southern Asia from Afghanistan to Papua New Guinea and Australia. It is one of Australia's few native deciduous trees. The species can grow to around 60m in height and its trunk can reach 3m in girth. It is also known as Australian Red Cedar, and by a variety of other common names in other countries where it is naturally found. It is a valuable forestry timber and is plantation harvested for this reason. Natural stands of trees were heavily and unsustainably exploited in the 19th Century and early 20th Century.
Subtropical rainforest in Bunya Mountains National Park, southeast Queensland. Here's some info on the park - http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/bunya-...
I was drawn to this particular tree as I was driving through the national park, simply because it had a massive Horsehoof Fungus (Fomitiporia robusta) growing on its trunk. It wasn't until I got out of the car to inspect the fungus that I noticed the tree was quite old, and a very handsome specimen at that. Long Felt Ferns (Pyrrosia longifolia) were also abundant in the upper branches of its canopy, as were lianas. Bird's Nest Ferns (Asplenium australasicum) are also a very common sight on Red Cedar, as are countless varieties of fungi. Toona ciliata seems to be a very hospitable species of tree that is essential to the health of the rainforest environment. The loss of this species would have a devastating effect on the environment, and this was the case in the days of rampant logging.
Spotted on Jul 22, 2014
Submitted on Jul 31, 2014
1 Comment
A two-in-one deal, thanks to the fungus. It was a beautiful tree, and even though it was by the road, the surrounding rainforest was dense and lush.