The Trees of Mulligans Flat

Only about 5% of Australia's eucalypt woodlands remain, replaced since the early 1800's by wheat and sheep production.

In 1995 the Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve was established in Canberra's north to preserve an area of box-gum grassy woodland. In 2005 a woodland research collaboration was set up by the local government, a local university and the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation). 

The potential for a sanctuary to be created within the reserve enabling native species to be reintroduced was recognised and in 2009 the Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary was fenced off to keep out foxes and cats. The two nearest suburbs have cat containment rules. 

Last year saw the arrival of bettongs from Tasmania. They became extinct on the mainland about a hundred years ago. Bettongs are small relatives of the kangaroo, about the size of a rabbit. Not only do woodlands provide them with a home, they contribute to the health of the woodland with their extensive digging for underground fungi and dispersal of the spores. 

We didn't see any bettongs on our walk as they are nocturnal, but I found the trees fascinating. The bark of eucalypts seem like works of art to me. The resilience of the trees, for example regenerating from fallen trunks, is amazing. It was interesting to see mistletoe up closer than I'd seen it before (our gum tree mistletoes are not the same as the northern hemisphere mistletoe). We noticed some nesting boxes in one tree but didn't see the residents. We also had a look at the  shearing shed, the main part dating from the 1930's, which was moved from a nearby location to serve as an interpretive centre.