Eucalyptus obliqua

Eucalyptus obliqua, common name messmate stringybark or messmate, but also known as brown top, brown top stringbark, stringybark or Tasmanian oak, is a species of tree that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has rough, stringy or fibrous bark on the trunk and larger branches, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, base usually oblique, flower buds in groups of seven to fifteen or more, white flowers and cup-shaped or barrel-shaped fruit.

Significance to the Ganai community.

Messmate is known as KATAKATAK and is common in forests in the Mossvale Park area. the dry outer bark was used for starting fires and making fishing torches, for night fishing. The inner bark was made into coarse string and this string was used for making nets and bags. The string was also used for tying canoe ends and ceremonial clothing.

59.00 Location D3 Latitude;  -38.402381000000  Longitude; 146.051179000000

59.01 Location Many specimens form part of the Tarwin River bank restoration plantings by the West Gippsland CMA in 2009/11