Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) is the most famous WA tree, noted for its fine timber qualities. With attractive reddish-brown stringybark and a full canopy of bright green foliage, a grove of old, undisturbed jarrah is a beautiful but rare sight. The Jarrah Forest is an Australia bioregion, originally some 50000 km². Remaining stands of old-growth forest is however, much less at around 2500 km² scattered widely over its former range. Jarrah also grow on the Swan Coastal Plain and the Warren region along with marri, for an original total area of around 72500 km² with giant trees scattered widely through out this range. Most old-growth jarrah remains in state forest unprotected from harvesting, and there are no national parks with extensive old-growth forest. Initial attempts 100 years ago to preserve areas as national parks were unsuccessful with the government changing reserves to state forest for timber harvesting! This practice continued for decades until the Forest Department began setting aside small areas for conservation and recreation from the 1960s onwards. Although government promises over the years to ban old-growth logging, legislation has quietly changed terms, and old-growth logging continues despite public protests. Challar Forest was logged in 2014 revealing 400 year old jarrah to be used for firewood and woodchips, creating anger within environmental groups in WA. The tiny remaining patches of old-growth jarrah it seems are too valuable to protect. However in 2022 the government announced plans to halt all old growth logging in Western Australia by 2024. Details are still as yet to be decided and old growth clearing and mining are still allowed but this is great news.
Jarrah was first logged in the 1840s, and it quickly became highly demanded around the British Empire. Some of its appealing qualities are its strength, durability and attractive appearance. Its uses were many, indoor high-quality furniture, general building construction including panelling, flooring and framing. Outdoor uses was extensive with heavy building construction, public works buildings and marine applications including bridges, piers and jetties, as well as fence posts and roads. Across Europe, jarrah blocks were used for roads with asphalt layered on top and also for underground construction for early railways in London, Paris, Berlin and Moscow! It was also shipped extensively across Africa and Asia for railway sleepers and of course as fuel for fires although jarrah is tricky to ignite. Second growth jarrah logs are still used for telegraph poles weighing up to 2 tonnes.
The largest areas with some protection such as Lane Poole Reserve just south of Dwellingup has a lot of great campsites available with at least 10 giant jarrah located there. The two biggest are both sign posted as King Jarrah which was a common practice started many decades ago to indicate to tourists that this is a large jarrah tree! Although only one is accessible by road now as ongoing bauxite mining nearby has closed road access for decades to the other tree. There is however, a scenic walking track to it but it is a day hike, or you can bush bash with a GPS like I do, prickles and all! There are several other giant jarrahs around, but these are not signposted. Overall there are a handful of King Jarrahs still standing around the Southwest forests.
Jarrah grows on laterite soil producing a red gravel appearance and contains high amounts of aluminium ore from its bauxite components. Annual rainfall is between 700-1300mm. The forest ecosystem is complex with jarrah and marri dominating. To the east, wandoo (Eucalyptus wandoo) mix with the drier Jarrah Forest and further south yarri trees inhabit wetter areas of the Jarrah Forest. Around water courses flooded gum (Eucalyptus rudis) and paperbarks (Melaleuca) line rivers and swamps. Smaller understory tree species include sheoak (Casuarina) and banksia (Banksia) which grow throughout the Jarrah Forest. Also covering the entire Jarrah Forest are the ancient cycad (Macrozamia riedlei) and grasstree (Xanthorrhoea preissii) both living relics from Australia's Gondwana past. Many animals live in the Jarrah Forest including mammals such as the rare western quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii), quokka (Setonix brachyurus), quenda (Isoodon obesulus), western brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus), various species of micro-bats and WA's native emblem the endangered numbat (Myrmrecobius fasciatus). I once saw an echidna (Tachyglossus acaleatus) on Big Tree Road, named for the Looming Relic. Birdlife includes the endangered Carnaby's black cockatoo, tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides), bush stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), as well as various types of parrots, fairywrens, honeyeaters, several birds of prey and owls. At the forest floor, insect life recycles the soil adding nutrients.
Due to extensive clearing and land usage, very little jarrah forest has remained or grown back. Initial logging was selective, but second-growth logging was mechanised, clear-felling which often disturbs the soil too much reducing the forests ability to thrive. In many areas, Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) has been planted as jarrah simply couldn't be rehabilitated.
To compound this problem has been the significant issue of dieback, a soil-borne water mould that infects the tree's roots. This causes root rot preventing nutrient absorption leading to the death of the tree, and often spreading to many other trees in the forest. I am careful not to explore forests in winter as wet conditions spread the zoospores.
In spite of these hardships, the Jarrah Forest continues to endure. The first time I found a noted grove of old-growth jarrah off Kinsella Road was a memorable experience. The light was failing and I thought I would have to give up, but I walked into a grey stand in a quiet section of forest and instantly knew I had found them amongst all the regrowth. These trees were growing near a rocky slope, they were never going to be giants so were never logged. Their trunks were twisted but clean barrelled for 15 metres with heavy limbs and intricate canopy structures.
In the late 1990s I took my family to the old Hoffman Mill for the Bridges Walk, a short bushwalk around some regrowth jarrah forest but for me, the attraction was a large remnant jarrah tree highlighted, a King Jarrah! On the drive up Logue Brook Dam Road massive felled jarrah logs began lining the road, their red heartwood vivid from recent rains. I'd never seen such a sight. There were dozens of logs 2 metres wide and 10 metres long, some bigger. We were saddened but amazed by the size of these logs. It was on the walk nearing the King Jarrah tree that further disappointment came. It was stumped at 50 cm from the ground, no rot, solid and recently cut with bark intact and sap still oozing around the edges. It was around 2.5 m wide clearly it was a magnificent giant. I later enquired about its demise but never got a real explanation, it wasn't supposed to be cut was all that I was told. Looking back I wish I took some pictures of the biggest logs lining that road, they were all removed a few years later.
I always appreciate the moment I am nearing a giant jarrah knowing how special each one is. There are still a few big ones left. I've measured almost all of the biggest jarrah on the WA significant tree list, there's just a few left plus some on mining sites which I've been granted access to when conditions are ideal. People often tell me there’s areas still unexplored, but the Jarrah Forest was thoroughly surveyed. Despite my decades of searching, this is the one species I've never found a top ten for my list. However I've found many over 50 m³ in volume and several giants 3 m in DBH especially around the Perth Hills but all have been damaged and burnt from fires unfortunately. The hunts goes on!
Historical Accounts
There are hundreds of historic jarrah images depicting life around the mill of the early settlers and later of the logging era. Very few large jarrah trees are recorded however. The image below is by far the biggest jarrah tree I could find from the online sources. Many years ago I visited the state library and saw many images of what I would consider as giant jarrah. Those images are still only viewable at the library at this stage. Some are likely of current giants still with us, but were photographed when they were first discovered. Another trip to the state library may be in order to show the biggest giants of the past I can find.
Jarrah was first logged in the 1840s, and it quickly became highly demanded around the British Empire. Some of its appealing qualities are its strength, durability and attractive appearance. Its uses were many, indoor high-quality furniture, general building construction including panelling, flooring and framing. Outdoor uses was extensive with heavy building construction, public works buildings and marine applications including bridges, piers and jetties, as well as fence posts and roads. Across Europe, jarrah blocks were used for roads with asphalt layered on top and also for underground construction for early railways in London, Paris, Berlin and Moscow! It was also shipped extensively across Africa and Asia for railway sleepers and of course as fuel for fires although jarrah is tricky to ignite. Second growth jarrah logs are still used for telegraph poles weighing up to 2 tonnes.
The largest areas with some protection such as Lane Poole Reserve just south of Dwellingup has a lot of great campsites available with at least 10 giant jarrah located there. The two biggest are both sign posted as King Jarrah which was a common practice started many decades ago to indicate to tourists that this is a large jarrah tree! Although only one is accessible by road now as ongoing bauxite mining nearby has closed road access for decades to the other tree. There is however, a scenic walking track to it but it is a day hike, or you can bush bash with a GPS like I do, prickles and all! There are several other giant jarrahs around, but these are not signposted. Overall there are a handful of King Jarrahs still standing around the Southwest forests.
Jarrah grows on laterite soil producing a red gravel appearance and contains high amounts of aluminium ore from its bauxite components. Annual rainfall is between 700-1300mm. The forest ecosystem is complex with jarrah and marri dominating. To the east, wandoo (Eucalyptus wandoo) mix with the drier Jarrah Forest and further south yarri trees inhabit wetter areas of the Jarrah Forest. Around water courses flooded gum (Eucalyptus rudis) and paperbarks (Melaleuca) line rivers and swamps. Smaller understory tree species include sheoak (Casuarina) and banksia (Banksia) which grow throughout the Jarrah Forest. Also covering the entire Jarrah Forest are the ancient cycad (Macrozamia riedlei) and grasstree (Xanthorrhoea preissii) both living relics from Australia's Gondwana past. Many animals live in the Jarrah Forest including mammals such as the rare western quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii), quokka (Setonix brachyurus), quenda (Isoodon obesulus), western brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus), various species of micro-bats and WA's native emblem the endangered numbat (Myrmrecobius fasciatus). I once saw an echidna (Tachyglossus acaleatus) on Big Tree Road, named for the Looming Relic. Birdlife includes the endangered Carnaby's black cockatoo, tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides), bush stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), as well as various types of parrots, fairywrens, honeyeaters, several birds of prey and owls. At the forest floor, insect life recycles the soil adding nutrients.
Due to extensive clearing and land usage, very little jarrah forest has remained or grown back. Initial logging was selective, but second-growth logging was mechanised, clear-felling which often disturbs the soil too much reducing the forests ability to thrive. In many areas, Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) has been planted as jarrah simply couldn't be rehabilitated.
To compound this problem has been the significant issue of dieback, a soil-borne water mould that infects the tree's roots. This causes root rot preventing nutrient absorption leading to the death of the tree, and often spreading to many other trees in the forest. I am careful not to explore forests in winter as wet conditions spread the zoospores.
In spite of these hardships, the Jarrah Forest continues to endure. The first time I found a noted grove of old-growth jarrah off Kinsella Road was a memorable experience. The light was failing and I thought I would have to give up, but I walked into a grey stand in a quiet section of forest and instantly knew I had found them amongst all the regrowth. These trees were growing near a rocky slope, they were never going to be giants so were never logged. Their trunks were twisted but clean barrelled for 15 metres with heavy limbs and intricate canopy structures.
In the late 1990s I took my family to the old Hoffman Mill for the Bridges Walk, a short bushwalk around some regrowth jarrah forest but for me, the attraction was a large remnant jarrah tree highlighted, a King Jarrah! On the drive up Logue Brook Dam Road massive felled jarrah logs began lining the road, their red heartwood vivid from recent rains. I'd never seen such a sight. There were dozens of logs 2 metres wide and 10 metres long, some bigger. We were saddened but amazed by the size of these logs. It was on the walk nearing the King Jarrah tree that further disappointment came. It was stumped at 50 cm from the ground, no rot, solid and recently cut with bark intact and sap still oozing around the edges. It was around 2.5 m wide clearly it was a magnificent giant. I later enquired about its demise but never got a real explanation, it wasn't supposed to be cut was all that I was told. Looking back I wish I took some pictures of the biggest logs lining that road, they were all removed a few years later.
I always appreciate the moment I am nearing a giant jarrah knowing how special each one is. There are still a few big ones left. I've measured almost all of the biggest jarrah on the WA significant tree list, there's just a few left plus some on mining sites which I've been granted access to when conditions are ideal. People often tell me there’s areas still unexplored, but the Jarrah Forest was thoroughly surveyed. Despite my decades of searching, this is the one species I've never found a top ten for my list. However I've found many over 50 m³ in volume and several giants 3 m in DBH especially around the Perth Hills but all have been damaged and burnt from fires unfortunately. The hunts goes on!
Historical Accounts
There are hundreds of historic jarrah images depicting life around the mill of the early settlers and later of the logging era. Very few large jarrah trees are recorded however. The image below is by far the biggest jarrah tree I could find from the online sources. Many years ago I visited the state library and saw many images of what I would consider as giant jarrah. Those images are still only viewable at the library at this stage. Some are likely of current giants still with us, but were photographed when they were first discovered. Another trip to the state library may be in order to show the biggest giants of the past I can find.
This giant near the town of Greenbushes was photographed in 1918 shortly before I believe it was logged possibly clearing land for ongoing mining operations begun after tin was discovered in 1886. I estimate the trunk at 65 m³ and limbs at 15 m³ for a total volume around 80 m³. There are 3 people at the base if you look carefully! This would put it into the top five for volume. Image is reproduced with permission from the State Library of Western Australia.
