🚀 go-pugleaf

G'day mates,

There was recently a request in sci.bio.botany for info on tropical 
hardwoods.  As the Australian State of Queensland has (or had) an 
active Forestry research group (now embedded in the Qld Dept of 
Primary Industries), I thought it might be useful to have a squiz at 
the DPI home page <http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/home/default.html>.

Of course, this was somewhat optimistic of me given the modern drive 
from science and extension to bureaucracy in DPI, but there was some 
stuff there that might be of interest under the "Forestry, timber and 
wood" link <http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/forestry/>.

Mostly advertising books and other saleable items rather than 
providing on-line info, and largely aimed at plantation species.  
Three of the four "Contents" links are somewhat repetitive, but each 
probably does include some items not listed elsewhere.  

One of the more unusual items under the "Timber and Uses" link 
<http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/thematiclists/2722.html> is a group of up 
to 100 timber samples available for purchase either singly or as boxed 
sets <http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/qfri/9513.html>.

However, the thing that I found most interesting (and it's well hidden 
and almost impossible to find unless you know the secret word :) is 
the interactive Qld Tree Selector database at:

   <http://www.forests.qld.gov.au/qts/welcome.htm>

This allows you to enter data on your local environment and details of 
what you want the trees and/or shrubs to do for you, and it thing 
comes up with a list of recommended species rated according to how 
well they fit you selection criteria.  You can the click on the 
individual species to see more detail about the individuals, 
particularly their "uses".  While intended for Queenslanders, it could 
clearly be useful to others with similar climatic/soil conditions -- 
but you might have to import the listed species. :-)

There was an earlier edition of this tree selector that had a much 
more convenient format if you wanted to print out a list of your 
selections and their "uses", but it wasn't so comprehensive for the 
individual species.  It's a pity it seems to have been discontinued; 
but I can see value in the present format too (except for the dreadful 
choice of presentation of white text on black background!).  It would 
be nice to have both output options.

Adendum:  Having played around a bit more, I've discovered there is 
actually some pretty detailed info on timber species too. (My 
apologies to the bureaucracy. :-)  To access this, simply go to 
<http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/hardwoodsqld/7680.html> and click on the 
species of your choice.  For example, for Black Bean (_Castanospermum 
australe_) see <http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/hardwoodsqld/8230.html>.

The info includes name, description, distribution, and masses of 
detail on wood characteristics and durability.

Hope this helps someone.  ;-)

[ Note followups set to sci.bio.botany and alt.forestry ]

Cheers, Phred.

-- 
ppnerkDELETE@THISyahoo.com.INVALID