Ancient trees

[jarryd]

Hi guys,

I am new to the forum and tasmania. I am interested in very old trees and have spent a bit of time trying to see some of the older trees around the state. I was hoping someone may be able to shed some light on where to see old trees? the kind of areas that have remained undisturbed for thousands of years.

I am interested in pencil pines, huon pines, diselma, king billy pines etc. mainly endemic conifers that have the ability to reach great age.

I also love myrtle beech, deciduous beech, sassafras etc so am open to any insight on patches of beautiful old growth rainforest.

[Eremophila]

Not exactly an undisturbed area,but Evercreech Forest Reserve is well worth a visit. An easy drive north from Fingal - you do have to drive through some unsightly forestry areas to get there.
A small group (4 or 5??) of white gums over 90m tall. Lovely picnic/camping area, and not well-used. We visited a couple of days after Xmas 2 or 3 years back and there was only one other car in the couple of hours we spent there.

[Mechanic-AL]

Hi Jarryd

once again....not undisturbed but if you walk in the Mt Anne track from the Red Tape Creek end you will cross the bridge over the Anne River. If you turn right and follow the river bank a short way there is a small stand of Huon Pines that are supposedly some of the oldest in the area and over 1000 years old.

Easily do-able from the carpark in a couple of hours.
I would be interested to find out what else you discover in your searches.

AL

[Tasallan]

If you want to see a magnificent old tree the Mt Read Huon Pine near Rosebery is a must see - discovered soon after settlement of Hobart in 1803 and probably thousands of years old: follow this link to read about it and other rare trees in that area.
http://www.apstas.com/Mt__Read_Huon_pine.html
Trevor

[walkon]

If you want to see a magnificent old tree the Mt Read Huon Pine near Rosebery is a must see - discovered soon after settlement of Hobart in 1803 and probably thousands of years old: follow this link to read about it and other rare trees in that area.
http://www.apstas.com/Mt__Read_Huon_pine.html
Trevor

Thanks for that tasallan, it was good read

[stepbystep]

The best I have seen for;
Myrtle untouched, below Eldon Peak east of the South Eldon River. Mt Lindsay in The Tarkine(now an approved mining lease )
King Billy, some good stuff at Cradle, Winterbrook Falls Track, Mt Dundas, Reservoir Lakes
Fagus, Below Camp HIll looked stunning, Hounslow Heath track, Mt Dundas summit, Mt Read, Tyndalls, Labyrinth
Pencil Pine, below Rocky Hill, Lake Ewart, Walls, Cradle.
Huon Pine, Denison River, the Olegas Truchanas pine reserve(incredible), Yellow Creek in the Tarkine(subject of multiple mining exploration licences) ditto Huskisson and Stanley Rivers in The Tarkine.

For Sassy and Myrtle just tour The Tarkine, nice forests on the northern slopes of Olympus too. I'm sure corvus will tell you Lees Paddocks for all of the above

[jarryd]

thankyou to everyone who has posted in response!

Step by step, thank you for all the spots! that list will certainly keep me very busy. I am disgusted to hear that one of your favourite myrtle forests faces destruction, approval of mines in areas such as the Tarkine is a disgrace. We have no right to uproot forrest of this age regardless of mineral values, these trees are irreplaceable!
to see the pencil pines what side of Rocky hill, NE,SW? and what is the best approach to lake Ewart.

Tasallan - I managed to find myself clambering up an old mine shoot in search of this tree ancient grove, I was again upset by the amount of damage that the mine had done to this beautiful mountain. It is a scar that will never heal. I enjoyed the Huon pine grove from afar as i was fearful of tracking bacteria into the grove on my boots. A paranoia placed in my mind from constant sign posts in the area saying restricted access! etc (understandable enough, but is this area actually restricted and can you go in there?). I am keen to go back one day and disinfect my gear so I can go for a look around among the grove.

Mechanic-AL - I will definitely have to go for a look at these Huon pine, Im based in kingston so this is nice and close for me!

[jarryd]

Eremophilla, thanks for the spot sounds like a great spot to see a few tall trees!

I find tall straight trees amazing, though I really like trees that show their age and their struggles in living for so long!

[stepbystep]

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