Big Eucalypts of Canberra sightings
Overview of the Big Eucalypts project
This is a collection of the largest individuals of different Eucalypt tree species (Eucalyptus, Corymbia & Angophora) in Canberra. The collection complements exisitng big and giant Eucalypt collections on citizen science platforms in other parts of the country. For example, the National Register of Big Trees https://www.nationalregisterofbigtrees.com.au/pages/home-page
Why are big Eucalypts important? They support a diverse range of other species. Big Eucalypts often contain multiple tree hollows for hollow dependent fauna. More than 300 species of Australian native animals use tree hollows for shelter and breeding, including iconic birds such as black cockatoos. Big Eucalypts are major carbon stores both in wood volume and root biomass.
How big is ‘Big’?
The threshold trunk girth and/or height for a big Eucalypt varies with the species. So the best approach to decide whether you have found a big individual is to compare it to those of the same species in this collection, or in the national register of big trees: https://www.nationalregisterofbigtrees.com.au/pages/home-page
How to contribute
The collection relies on trunk circumference, i.e. trunk girth, because measurement of height requires specialised equipment (clinometer, laser range finder, or LiDAR).
Ensure that trunk girth is measured 1.4m above the ground to avoid the effect of the buttress on the measurement.
If height has been measured then record the height in the notes or comments along with the measurement method.
To add your big Eucalypt sighting to this project select the star icon at the top right of the sighting and select the Big Eucalypts of Canberra collection name.
