Red Cedar In Australia

This book presents new research assessing the place of red cedar in Australia's environmental and social history.

Beautifully illustrated, the book traces the discovery of the once plentiful red cedar in New South Wales and Queensland, the growth of the cedar timber industry in the 19th century and the use of the wood in furniture, interiors and craft.

Contributing author, John McPhee, a leading expert on Australian decorative arts, along with five other authors has devoted the entire book to this singular tree.

Known as 'red gold', Toona Ciliata, became one of Australia's earliest exports and primary industries. Like the other and better known gold rushes, its promise of quick wealth lured opportunistic cedar-cutters.

Australian red cedar was first discovered in rainforests soon after European settlement near Parramatta and has played an important part in the natural and cultural history, as well as the economic development of Australia. By 1798, it was the colony's third largest export. By the 1870s cedar was almost extinct.

The book examines the discovery and description of cedar and its close relationship with the Toons of India and south-east Asia and the impact of the rapacious 19th century timber industry on the rainforest environment and the traditional hunting grounds of Aboriginal people.

We learn that cedar proved easy to cut and transport, and was useful for building, joinery and furniture. As early as the 1790s the government was aware of the possibility of destroying too much timber. By the end of the 19th century the best quality timber had been logged-out and timber-getters turned to the rainforests of Queensland.

Author and botanical scholar, David Mabberley, discusses the many different trees that are known as cedar in various parts of the world, Rod Ritchie writes of the ways in which cedar was located and milled, Clive Lucas gives an account of the varying fashion for cedar in Australian Houses and Margaret Betteridge and Ann Toy both discuss the use of cedar in two of Sydney's significant buildings, Government House and the Sydney Town Hall.

Today the best stands of cedar are found in remote locations. The largest readily accessible red cedar is in the Gadgarra State Forest in NSW and stands 35m tall and has a clear bole of 18m and a diameter of 7m.

This book will appeal to those interested in Australia's social history, the environment, wood enthusiasts, wood makers and students.