What is the Black Gum – South Esk Pine Forest?
The Black Gum – South Esk Pine Forest, also known as the Eucalyptus ovata – Callitris oblonga Forest, is a type of forest that occurs along the banks of the St Pauls, Apsley, South Esk, Swan, Brushy, Cygnet and Wye Rivers in Tasmania. Two outlying patches also occur in Trevallyn, near Launceston, and near Cranbrook, on the East Coast. The Black Gum – South Esk Pine Forest is characterised by: • an overstorey of eucalypts, typically Black Gum (Eucalyptus ovata), but also with White Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) or Black Peppermint (Eucalyptus amygdalina) in some patches; • a midstorey of South Esk Pine (Callitris oblonga subspecies oblonga); and • a shrubby understorey, where Native Blackthorn (Bursaria spinosa), Slender Honey Myrtle (Melaleuca gibbosa) and Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata) are common. On rocky slopes this ecological community may lose its overstorey, and form tall open shrubland. The distribution of South Esk Pine is related to flood and fire frequency. Fire enhances the re
