ANGOPHORAS IN FRED CATERSON RESERVE
by Jennifer Farrer
One of the most distinctive trees of the Sydney Sandstone country is the Sydney Red Gum or Angophora costata. This majestic tree with its twisted limbs and roots sprawling across the sandstone looking for a weakness to penetrate and find a footing compels the viewer to take notice. Its name comes from the Greek word for urn because the seed pods look just like an ancient Greek urn. As well as having seed pods which are different from the gumnuts of the Eucalypts, the leaves of the Angophoras are arranged differently. Eucalyptus leaves grow alternately along the stem whereas Angophora leaves are opposite each other and of course they do not smell of Eucalyptus when you crush them.
Angophoras can exude a red jelly like substance if they are physically damaged or attacked by insects. This substance is called kino. In colonial times it was dissolved in water and taken internally as a cure for diarrhea. This was effective because it contains tannic acid.
Like many Eucalyptus trees the Sydney Red Gums lose their bark every summer. Bark which is never more than a year old looks luminous and is smooth to touch. On hot summer days place your cheek against the smooth bark for a quick cool down.
Hollows form in Angophoras more quickly than other trees making them an important habitat tree for the many Australian animals which use tree hollows to breed. Unfortunately they are also prone to dropping limbs without notice which has given them the nick name of “Widow maker”.
There are other species of Angophora in the Sydney area. One which is very common in Fred Caterson Reserve is Angophora bakeri. To the casual observer it bears no resemblance to the Sydney Red Gum. It is a slender tree with rough bark. However, it has the same twisted branches, the same urn shaped seed pods and opposite leaves on its stems and most importantly the same beautiful cream flowers in December. It can resprout from its base after a bushfire.
Both these species of Angophora are important habitat and food trees for our native fauna. The abundant flowers attract beetles, birds, butterflies, bats and bees who feed on the pollen and nectar.
Angophora costata trunk and fallen bark