Common Name: Stone Wood

General Information

Backhousia hughesii is a tall, spreading, evergreen tree[]
The tree is harvested from the wild for commercial use of its wood in Australia.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - northeast Queensland

Habitat

Well developed rain forest on a variety of sites, often associated with Kauri Pine; At elevations up to 1,100 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	0.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Backhousia hughesii is a plant of lowland to lower montane rainforests in northeast Australia.
Species in this genus generally prefer a moist but well-drained fertile soil and a position in full sun[].
Trees of this species when wounded produce an exudate which hardens to form a grey stony mass. Hence the name Stonewood. These stones can be produced inside the tree and were the subject of numerous profane comments from timber cutters who encountered them with a freshly sharpened chain saw[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Produces a useful general purpose building timber[].

Propagation

Seed - it is difficult to germinate[]. Surface sow onto a moist medium, standing the seed tray in almost half its depth of clean water and maintain a temperature around 16 - 18c[]. Seedlings take about 12 months to develop fully. When seedlings are about 5mm tall, remove the tray from the water, leave for 4 - 5 days and then prick the seedlings out into individual containers[].
Cuttings of semi-ripe wood with a heel[]. Slow to make roots[].
Small lower branches often touch the ground and form roots. These can be severed from the parent plant, and planted elsewhere[].

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