TREES OF RAPPVILLE 

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Timber, and the benefits that flow from it, are central to Rappville’s history and prosperity today, but the surrounding flora also has strong emotional connections for many.  Charlotte and Lyndall are keen to discover what the local trees and plants mean for those who live and work in Rappville.

 

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Australian Teak (Crow’s Ash) Flindersia australis

A very durable timber which has been traditionally used for boat building, flooring (particularly dancefloors) and outdoor furniture.

 

Blackbutt Eucalyptus pilularis

Is one of the highest value timbers commonly used for structural and exterior applications, and to produce plywood.

 

Broad-leaved Tea tree Melaleuca leucadendron

A moderately durable timber commonly used in general construction, for boat/ship building, fence posts, railway sleepers/ties and mining timbers. It yields essential oil used in food flavouring, medicines, soaps, detergent, perfumes, and insect repellent.

 

Camphor laurel Cinnamomum camphora

Rappville’s Remembrance Avenue was originally lined with 18 Camphor laurel trees and one Illawarra flame tree, planted in memory of the young men of Rappville who died in WW1.

 

Corkwood tree Duboisia myoporoides

Its leaves contain alkaloids used in medicine. 

 

White Cypress-pine Callitris columellaris

A highly durable softwood timber used in construction, fencing and telegraph poles.

 

Grey Box Eucalyptus moluccana

A hardwood timber often used for heavy construction applications, flooring, round timber wharfage, shipbuilding, and railway sleepers.

 

Grey Gum Eucalyptus propinqua

A hardwood timber, suitable for a wide range of engineering and construction applications.

 

Grey Ironbark Eucalyptus paniculata

In 1905, the Murray brothers began operating a sawmill on the eastern side of the railway line in Rappville, which became known as Murray’s siding. The mill cut primarily Ironbark, as railway sleepers, mostly as export to New Zealand. Today Ironbark has a wide range of applications from industrial construction to house framing, flooring and sporting goods.

 

Hoop Pine Araucaria cunninghamii

A softwood timber widely used in general construction purposes, interiors, and for furniture.

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Illawarra Flame Brachychiton acerifolius

Rappville’s Remembrance Avenue was originally lined with one Illawarra flame tree and 18 Camphor laurel trees, planted in memory of the young men of Rappville who died in WW1. Some of the Camphor laurel trees were damaged during the 2019 fires and have since been replaced by Illawarra flame trees.

 

Jacaranda Jacaranda mimosifolia

In 1938, 22 Jacaranda trees were planted to commemorate the early pioneers of Rappville. Sadly, these were lost during the recent bushfire and have now been replanted.

 

Tea tree Melaleuca alternifolia

Used for tea tree oil.

 

Red Bloodwood Corymbia gummifera

A hardwood timber commonly used in the production of round timbers for rough construction purposes, such as poles, sleepers, fencing and mining timbers.

 

Red Cedar Toona ciliate

A hardwood timber commonly used for decorative applications such as veneers and panelling, furniture, cabinetry, musical instruments (guitar tops) and boatbuilding.

 

Red Ironbark Eucalyptus sideroxylon

A hardwood timber that has been prized for over 200 years for its strength and durability.

 

River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis

A hardwood timber with a range of applications including heavy construction, railway sleepers, flooring, framing, fencing, plywood and veneer manufacture, wood turning, firewood and charcoal production.

 

Silky oak Grevillea robusta

Commonly planted around pioneer homes, its uses include veneer, cabinetry, fine furniture, musical instruments, turned objects and other small specialty items.

 

Spotted Gum Corymbia maculata

A hardwood timber used widely in structural, exterior, and internal applications.

 

Swamp Mahogany Eucalyptus robusta

A hardwood timber used for firewood and general construction. It is used as a round timber for construction of wharves and fencing.

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Tallowwood Eucalyptus microcorys 

Endemic to Eastern Austaralia, class 1 hardwood. Has been noted as the best dance floor by Dave Newby. 

 

Weeping Lilly Pilly Waterhousea floribunda (Now Syzygium floribunda)

The Rappville Myrtle Tree Propagation Project is currently underway, to replace and extend the Myrtle trees lost in the fire, along the banks of Myrtle Creek.

 

Yellow Stringybark Eucalyptus muelleriana

A hardwood timber used for flooring, decking, heavy construction, and structural applications.

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