Common Name: Vinegar Tree

General Information

Vinegar tree is a fast-growing, evergreen tree with a dense crown. It usually grows up to 40 metres tall in the tropical areas of its range, but exceptionally can reach 54 metres. It becomes smaller as it moves into the subtropics until eventually, in the harshest areas of its range, it is a stunted tree just a few metres tall. The larger trees usually have a straight, cylindrical bole that can reach 100 - 300cm in diameter[].
The tree produces a good quality timber that it used commercially. It is commonly planted for forestry in Hawaii and is also grown as an ornamental in subtropical gardens[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - New South Wales, Queensland.

Habitat

An emergent tree on the edges of rainforest and in most types of eucalypt forests[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the subtropics to the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 800 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 0 28°c, but can tolerate 10 - 36°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -5°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,100 - 1,500mm, but tolerates 900 - 1,700mm[].
Succeeds in full sun to partial shade[]. Requires a well-drained, fertile soil[]. Succeeds in sandy to clayey soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7[].
The tree has escaped from cultivation in Hawaii and become invasive[].
Very tolerant of hard and repeated pruning[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing tree, able to cope with a wide range of soils and climates, it is a good pioneer species for re-establishing woodland[].

Other Uses

The bark is a source of tannins[, ].

The wood is pale in colour, sometimes brown, it turns grey on exposure. It is very strong, very durable and unlikely to be attacked by white ants[, ]. When polished, it has a very pretty grain[]. On aging, it becomes extremely hard and blunts saws[]. It is difficult to season - planks and slabs of the wood crack, warp, twist, and shell in the most extraordinary manner, unless the greatest care be exercised both in the time of cutting of the timber and the seasoning[]. It is used in shipbuilding; for making wharves and bridges; as a general building timber, particularly for floors and weatherboards; mallets, chisel handles, planes etc[, , ]. It was used extensively as wooden tram rails, becoming polished and very hard with use[]. Ribs of vessels made from this tree have remained unimpaired for thirty years and more[].

Propagation

Seed - very small, it is best mixed with fine sand when sowing. It germinates easily.

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