Interesting Info
Aboriginal scarred trees are old, at least 100 years of age and up to the life span of the species of tree, which can be more than 500 years. Surviving scarred trees are relatively rare owing to the land clearing practices of early European settlers, destruction during bushfire and loss through natural attrition.
The tree is actually a 'Eucalyptus pauciflora' (Wikipedia article here) It is predominantly known in Canberra as a 'Snow Gum' or 'Ghost Gum'. This Australian native eucalyptus tree only grows to about 30 metres tall and is described as a small to medium spreading tree. It can have a somewhat crooked trunk and many branches with distinctively beautiful grey and cream bark.
The Snow Gum tree is very long-lived and very slow growing and are usually found growing in between 1300 meters (4265 feet) and 1800 meters (5905 feet) in altitude above sea level where they form the altitudinal limit of the Australian tree line. Few stands of lowland Snow Gum remain and considerable efforts are being put into preserving the remnants.
A remenant stand of Snow Gums preserved in Aranda in a natural 'Frost Hollow' at the base of Black Mountain is highlighted by this cache
Scars on trees can result from the deliberate removal of bark by Aboriginal people for a variety of reasons. Tree bark was an integral component of Aboriginal material culture. It was deliberately removed in order to:
• use the bark for shelter, canoes and domestic articles such as coolemons;
• create a marker tree;
• allow access to other tree resources—sometimes toeholds were cut into trees to assist climbers obtain bird’s eggs or possums;
• sometimes carved patterns in the tree trunks served ceremonial purposes and some indicate burial sites.
There are some other example of this scarring around the Canberra area, it is just knowing about what to look for. You could walk right past one and not even notice! A good resource for identifying scarred trees, if you want to look for some yourself, can be located here
This cache
It is a nice little walk from the best place to park. Access is easiest at the gate at the listed point. Please do not damage the tree, only admire it. As one final note, enjoy your walk and appreciate the history. Please replace the cache as you found it, or better!