Scar Tree - Important Australian Heritage Tree Services

Scar Tree Identification & Verification Across Queensland & NSW

Scar trees are trees which have had the live bark removed by Australia’s traditional owners in the past.  Reasons for removing large section of bark were many including: the making of coolamons, material for shelters and for building canoes, ceremonial trees are occasionally carved or marked with dendroglyphs. The bark was typically removed by making deep cuts in a tree with a stone tool. The area of bark removed is typically regular in shape with rounded ends. The resulting scar is located above ground level and never contacts the ground. ‘Scar trees’ are significant evidence of Aboriginal occupation and can provide information about the activities that occurred in the surrounding area.

The Tree Doctor^TM is able to identify and confirm scar trees by using a thorough understanding of tree anatomy, modern diagnostic equipment, anatomical features present and tree age calculation. This separates genuine scar trees from other ‘supposed cultural’ trees which are just trees with wounds. The internet and social networks are littered with images of trees with scars and for each tree incorrectly identified the cultural heritage of the traditional owners is diluted.