9. Brigalow

Acacia harpophylla [Acacia = to sharpen (the first one named had spines and grows in Africa), harpophylla = scimitar (sword) shaped leaves]
One of our famous wattles, it is a tall tree with a silvery top and reputed to flower well when heavy rains are on the way. Sheep will eat the young suckers which appear after clearing. The wood, which supposedly smells of violets, is good fuel and makes charcoal. The bark has also been used for tanning, and also for dyeing wool and cotton in a red/brown colour. Aborigines used the wood for spears, nulla nullas, and boomerangs, as the timber is quite hard but not very durable. 'Brigalow Itch' a form of dermatitis affects some people in contact with this tree.
Brigalow is the host plant for three butterflies - Tailed Emperor, Felders Line Blue, and Daemels Blue the larvae of which are attended by ants; and this is the southern limit of this butterfly's range.
Look on horizontal branches for Tawny Frogmouths who nest in this area.
more about wattles
Family MIMOSACEAE

28. Weeping Myall, Boree

Acacia pendula [Acacia = thorny, because the first one identified had thorns, pendula = weeping]
This tree is not in the park, but there is a pure stand of these attractive trees on the southern side of the road, approximately 2 km back towards Pittsworth. It is rare to see more than the isolated tree due to clearing. It is a wattle, an erect tree with weeping silvery foliage, yellow flowers mainly in spring, and a flat thick woody seed pod. The leaves often finish with a point. Weeping Myall grows in association with Brigalow, but more commonly with Poplar Box trees. It is palatable to stock. The timber is hard, heavy and dark in colour and also has a violet perfume. It makes fence posts, firewood and was extensively back-loaded to the southern states in the early days of using drays for transport. The Aborigines made boomerangs from it. It is prone to attack from the bag moth caterpillars which live in untidy nest structures in the branches and emerge to feed on the leaves often defoliating the whole tree.