Toolangi

Toolangi and Narbethong State Forests are relatively close to the city of Melbourne and contain some very impressive patches of old growth mountain ash trees. 3 of the top 10 largest trees in the State are to be found in this area.

Above, the great trunk of 'Blackbeard' reaches for the sky. Below, the trunk of 'Blackbeard' at 55m up is still 1.4m thick - it is also full of characteristic lumps, bumps and burls.

The fluted buttressed base of the 'Kalatha Giant' is pictured below.

Tree volumes are measured by climbing the tree and wrapping a tape around the trunk at various heights. Below, Grant Harris is returning to the ground after measuring 'Scarlett Scarface'.

Below, the 'Lone Black Ranger' is the only old tree in a sea of logging regrowth near Narbethong.