Under Sugar Pine

 On a recent hike to the Brindabella Ranges, we came across a plantation of Sugar Pine (Pinus lambertiana) - a Pacific coast of North America native. It goes to an old age, and can reach 80m. 

Over time, a number of arboretum were established in the ranges to test the commercial viability of exotic pines - the consensus finally settling on the Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata). Sadly, some of the other plantings of this pine (near Batlow) were recently destroyed by fire.

The seed cone of the plant is massive - this one was broken in two.