Plantation age,understory vegetation,and species‐specific traits of target seedlings alter the competition and facilitation role of Eucalyptus in South China

The Chinese government is considering ways to reconstruct Eucalyptus plantation monocultures in order to improve their ecosystem services. However, the effects of competition or facilitation of Eucalyptus on native species during the reconstruction have not been identified, especially during the formation of novel ecosystems. To better understand these relationships, in this study we tested the effects of competition and facilitation of Eucalyptus on three target species (Schima superba, Michelia macclurei, and Castanopsis fissa), in Eucalyptus plantations with different ages and understory vegetation. The results showed that the survival and growth of S. superba and M. macclurei were not sensitive to plantation age and understory removal treatment. The survival of C. fissa in understory removal was significantly higher and the growth of C. fissa increased gradually with increasing plantation age. The relative neighbor effect (RNE) index for growth indicated that the relationship between Eucalyptus and target species switched from competition to facilitation with an increase in plantation age. A redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that survival was positively correlated with soil water content and soil phosphorus. Growth was positively correlated with soil organic matter and soil nitrogen and negatively correlated with soil bulk density. Our results indicate that plantation age, understory vegetation, and species‐specific traits of target seedlings could change the competition and facilitation roles of Eucalyptus. Higher survival and growth rates indicated that C. fissa was an appropriate species for the reconstruction of mature Eucalyptus plantations and understory removal will benefit the process.     

桂北不同林龄桉树人工林土壤碳库管理指数和碳组分的变化特征

采用时空互代法,以广西北部低山丘陵地区不同林龄(1、2、3、4、5和8 a)桉树人工林为研究对象,探讨林龄对桉树人工林地土壤碳库管理指数的影响及其规律。结果表明:(1)随着林龄的增加,土壤有机碳总体表现为增加的趋势,1～8 a桉树土壤有机碳范围在5.79～15.57 g· kg^-1之间,随着土层的加深而降低; 0～40 cm土层土壤有机碳平均含量表现为8 a>5 a>3 a>4 a>2 a>1 a。(2)土壤非活性有机碳、碳储量随林龄和土层的变化规律与土壤有机碳基本一致。土壤活性有机碳含量大小依次表现为8 a>5 a>4 a>3 a>2 a>1 a,占土壤有机碳的比例随林龄变化无明显规律,8 a和其他林龄间均具有显著差异。(3)碳库管理指数随林龄增加整体呈上升趋势,8 a桉树人工林土壤碳组分含量及碳库管理指数均高于10 a对照马尾松林。碳库管理指数与土壤有机碳、非活性有机碳、活性有机碳、碳储量、碳库活度、全氮、容重呈极显著或显著的相关性,不同林龄和土层间碳库管理指数有差异性。适当延长桉树人工林的轮伐周期,减少人为对林地凋落物和林下植被的干扰,将有利于提高土壤的有机碳含量,进而改善土壤质量。     

海南西部桉树人工林土壤水分变化特征及其对林龄的响应

在海南西部儋州林场选取空间相邻、自然环境相似、不同林龄与连栽代次的桉树林样地和椰树林对照样地,通过2010—2012年连续3a定点取样,研究桉树林土壤水分变化特征及其对林龄的响应,分析桉树林种植对林地土壤水分的影响。结果表明:(1)1—4月土壤含水量持续减少,5—6月波动较大,7—10月增加到年内极大值,11—12月降低,但处于年内较高水平。(2)短伐桉树林(二代5年桉树林、三代1年桉树林、三代4年桉树林)、20a桉树林以及10a椰树林5个样地的月均土壤含水量存在显著或极显著差异。二代5年桉树林与三代1年桉树林之间以及20a桉树林与10a椰树林之间的土壤含水量差异均不显著;其余各林地之间土壤含水量差异显著或极显著。(3)随着土壤深度增加,短伐桉树林与20a桉树林、10a椰树林之间的土壤含水量差异增大。表层0—30 cm短伐桉树林年均土壤含水量为6.08%,20a桉树林为7.53%,10a椰树林为6.93%;80 cm以下则分别为8.10%、11.72%和11.95%。与10a椰树林、20a桉树林相比,短伐桉树林对土壤深层水分有较大负面影响。(4)短伐桉树林、20a桉树林和10a椰树林土壤含水量的变异系数由表层到深层逐渐递减,其中林龄较大的短伐桉树林变异系数较大,且变异系数较大的土层也较深厚。与20a桉树林、10a椰树林相比,林龄较大的短伐桉树林对深层土壤水分的消耗较多。(5)连栽代次愈多,林龄越大,土壤含水量愈少;采伐之后1a桉树林的土壤含水量明显增加,有利于桉树后期生长。     

我国3个桉树人工林种植区生产力影响因素

研究影响桉树人工林生产力的主要因素,对于提高桉树人工林生产力以及经营水平和合理利用树种都具有重要的意义。收集我国3个桉树人工林种植区(广东省、广西壮族自治区、云南省)关于生物量与生产力研究中的相关数据,对海拔、林分密度、林龄、年均温和年降水量与乔木层生物量进行了主成分分析与混合模型分析,探究各因素对我国桉树人工林生物量与生产力的影响。结果显示:年均温、年降水量、林龄、海拔和林分密度均是影响广东、广西、云南这3个省(区)桉树人工林生物量的主要因素,其中年降水量对这3个地区桉树人工林的生物量影响极其显著(P0.01),林龄和林分密度对桉树人工林的生物量影响显著(P0.05)。这是因为这3个地区都位于亚热带,温度都属于桉树生长的适宜温度,而这3个地区存在明显的干湿季,降水量在季节和地域上分布不均匀,导致这3个地区年降水量存在较明显的差异。因此,年降水量成为影响这3个地区桉树人工林生物量的关键因素。     

Growth rate and basal area response curves of four Eucalyptus species on Mt. Wellington,Tasmania

Abstract. The heights, diameters and regrowth basal areas of 22-yr old fire-initiated regeneration of Eucalyptus delegatensis ssp. tasmaniensis, E. urnigera, E. coccifera and E. johnstonii were measured over altitudinal, solar radiation and drainage gradients on Mt. Wellington, Tasmania. The growth rate responses to the altitude gradient-complex vary from linear to curved depending on the performance measure, the species and the gradient. Much of the variation in growth rate appears to be a direct response to the physical environment. However, disparities between trends in growth rate and trends in re-growth basal area are consistent with the hypothesis that competition (sensu Grime 1979) is more important in productive environments and less important in stressful environments. A glasshouse trial with Eucalyptus seedlings indicated that potential growth rates decline with increasing altitude of seed source.     

桉树种植对林地土壤丛枝菌根真菌群落结构及多样性的影响

桉树(Eucalyptus spp.)种植所产生的生态争议已受到广泛关注。丛枝菌根真菌(Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, AM真菌)是土壤微生物的重要组成部分,与根系共生后可促进植物的养分运输、提高植物逆境生存能力等。然而,桉树种植对土壤AM真菌群落结构和功能的影响尚不清楚。研究比较了次生林改种桉树后不同年限(2年/5年/10年)的土壤理化性质、AM真菌种类、群落组成及多样性的变化。结果表明,桉树种植显著改变了土壤理化性质,具体表现为2年生和10年生桉树林中土壤pH和有机碳显著降低(P0.05);AM真菌的孢子密度在桉树林土壤中显著低于次生林土壤(其中在5年生土壤中最低);AM真菌的种丰度随种植年份的增加逐渐下降,在10年生桉树林土壤中有所恢复; 5年生桉树的菌根侵染率最高,10年生桉树侵染率最低。AM真菌群落组成和结构发生显著变化,优势种Funneliforms geosporus的丰度在2年生和10年生林地中显著降低;而Septoglomus deserticola的丰度在2年生和10年生林地中显著增加。另外,冗余分析(Redundancy analysis, RDA)结果表明,土壤AM真菌群落结构主要受土壤pH值(解释率:89.88%)变化的影响。研究揭示了次生林改种桉树林后土壤AM真菌的群落变化特征,为桉树林的栽培管理和环境修复提供了数据支撑。     

Botanical,Phytochemical, and Anticancer Properties of the Eucalyptus Species

The genus Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) is mainly native to Australia; however, some species are now distributed globally. Eucalyptus has been used in indigenous Australian medicines for the treatment of a range of aliments including colds, flu, fever, muscular aches, sores, internal pains, and inflammation. Eucalyptus oils containing volatile compounds have been widely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries for a multitude of purposes. In addition, Eucalyptus extracts containing nonvolatile compounds are also an important source of key bioactive compounds, and several studies have linked Eucalyptus extracts with anticancer properties. With the increasing research interest in Eucalyptus and its health properties, this review briefly outlines the botanical features of Eucalyptus, discusses its traditional use as medicine, and comprehensively reviews its phytochemical and anticancer properties and, finally, proposes trends for future studies.     

Spoil characteristics and vegetation development of an age series of mine spoils in a dry tropical environment

A series of coal mine spoils (5, 10, 12, 16 and 20-yr old) in a dry tropical environment was sampled to assess the changes with time in spoil characteristics, species composition and plant biomass. Coarse fragments (>2 mm) decreased with age of mine spoil while the proportion of 0.2–0.1 mm particles increased. Total soil N, mineral N, NaHCO₃-extractable Pi, and exchangeable K increased with age of mine spoil and these parameters were lower in mine spoils than native forest soil even after 20 years of succession. Exchangeable Na decreased with age of mine spoil and in 20-yr old spoil it was higher than native forest soil. Plant community composition changed with age. Only a few species participated in community formation. Species richness increased with age, while evenness and species diversity declined from 5-yr old to 16-yr old community with an increase in the 20-yr old community. A reverse trend occurred for concentration of dominance. Area-weighted shoot and root biomass of other species increased with the age of the mine spoil while that of Xanthium strumarium patches declined with age. Data collected on spoil features, microbial C, N and P, and shoot and root biomass when subjected to Discriminant Analysis indicated a continued profound effect of age. 10 and 12-yr old mine spoils were closer to each other, and 5 and 20-yr old spoils were farthest apart.     

连栽桉树人工林土壤大孔隙特征及其对饱和导水率的影响

速生人工林多代连栽容易导致土地水源涵养能力下降。土壤大孔隙以优先流的形式补充地下水,是定量研究土壤水分运动的重要指标。以连栽1-4代桉树人工纯林为研究对象（记录为Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ）,采用水分穿透曲线法,绘制水分穿透曲线,结合Poiseulle方程计算出大孔隙数量、半径及饱和导水率等指标,对土壤大孔隙特征及其对饱和导水率的影响进行研究。结果表明：（1）桉树人工林土壤的出流速率总体表现先匀速增加后趋于稳定,稳定出流速率总体表现为I > II > III > IV。（2）大孔隙半径范围在0.3-1.5 mm,主要集中于0.4-0.6 mm,随土层深度增加显著减小（P<0.05）。大孔隙数量范围在3.56×10⁴-4.81×10⁵个/m²。随着连栽代次的增加,大孔隙孔径范围变小,同一孔径范围的大孔隙数量减少。土壤容重与大孔隙特征呈极显著负相关关系;有机质含量与大孔隙特征呈极显著正相关关系。（3）各样地土壤饱和导水率范围在0.41-4.50 mm/min,并随着连栽代次增加而降低。将大孔隙的总数量、平均体积与土壤饱和导水率进行线性拟合,拟合方程为：y=ax+b=,（R²>0.66）。综上,随着桉树人工林连栽代次的增加,土壤大孔隙孔径范围缩小、同等半径的大孔隙数量减少,饱和导水率降低,土壤入渗及导水性能减弱,容易造成水土流失。     

除草剂对桉树人工林下植物及土壤微生物群落的影响

除草剂在桉树人工林中的应用越来越普遍,但关于除草剂对桉树人工林林下植物和土壤微生物群落的影响知之甚少。通过桉树人工林低剂量高频率（LHF）、中剂量中频率（MMF）、高剂量低频率（HLF）除草剂喷施试验,并与人工除草（MT）为对照,比较分析不同剂量、不同频率除草剂施用对林下植物和土壤微生物群落的影响。结果表明,施用除草剂导致桉树人工林林下植物种类和功能群组成发生显著变化,但并未显著降低林下植物群落物种丰富度和多样性,随除草剂施用频率的降低及恢复时间的增加,物种丰富度及多样性指数呈恢复趋势。除草剂施用也导致土壤养分含量降低。除草剂通过对林下植物群落和土壤养分的负面影响间接影响土壤微生物群落。LHF显著降低藤本植物而显著提高蕨类植物功能群的重要值,从而显著降低了微生物群落、真菌和放线菌的磷脂脂肪酸（PLFA）含量。MMF显著降低木本和藤本植物而显著提高禾草植物功能群的重要值,导致土壤微生物群落和放线菌的PLFA含量显著降低。HLF未显著影响林下植物及土壤微生物群落,但土壤全磷含量显著降低,速效磷含量也大幅下降。施用除草剂显著降低了土壤微生物生物量碳、氮的含量。因此,生产上应减少除草剂的施用,以减少对林下植物和土壤微生物群落的负效应。     

SSR标记在桉树树种精准鉴定中的应用分析

为精准鉴定桉树种质,利用4个在种内完全保守的SSR位点对28种桉树(Eucalyptus)进行鉴定。根据这4个SSR位点的微卫星重复次数和侧翼序列特异核苷酸组合,构建了28种桉树种间种质资源的鉴定条码,能够精准鉴定9种桉树。这为桉树杂交育种工作提供了生物学依据。     

Plant responses to water stress: changes in growth,dry matter production,stomatal frequency and leaf anatomy

The responses of seedlings of three fast growing tree species,Eucalyptus hybrid(E. camaldulensis × E. teriticornis), Casuarina equisetifolia andMelia azedarach, to different levels of soil moisture in controlled glasshouse conditions were compared. The survival percentage, height of plants, number of leaves per plant, number of branches, fresh mass and dry mass of roots, stems, branches and leaves decreased in the three species with increasing water stress. Stomatal frequency and length of stomata inEucalyptus andMelia also decreased with increasing water stress. However, no significant difference was obtained in the width of stomata and the ratio of number of open stomata to total number of stomata per unit area. The leaf thickness decreased, but the thickness of palisade parenchyma increased with increasing water stress inEucalyptus hybrid andCasuarina. Leaf thickness ofMelia did not show any significant variation due to water stress.     

桂北不同林龄桉树人工林土壤微生物数量和酶活性特征研究

为探讨桉树不同林龄土壤微生物活性的响应特征,该研究采用时空互代法,选择广西北部低山丘陵地区1～5年生桉树人工林为研究对象,分析了土壤微生物、酶活性在不同土层和季节的变化规律。结果表明:(1)土壤微生物和酶活性在土层中有明显的垂直分布特征,均随土层加深而趋于降低,且各土层间差异显著。(2)细菌、放线菌数量随季节的大小顺序为秋季>夏季>春季>冬季,真菌的变化规律为春季>夏季>秋季>冬季,而酶活性随季节变化表现为夏季、秋季活性较高,春季、冬季活性较低。(3)细菌、真菌、脲酶、过氧化氢酶随林龄增大表现出先减小后增大的趋势,放线菌则呈现先减小后增大再减小的趋势,而蔗糖酶、酸性磷酸酶随林龄的增大趋于增大。(4)林地土壤中三大类群微生物与四种土壤酶之间存在极显著正相关关系,说明土壤微生物与土壤酶活性相互影响,两者之间关系密切,共同影响土壤的质量。综上可知,不同土层土壤微生物和酶活性的季节响应特征差异较大,总体在冬季最低,主要与气温、水分条件、凋落物养分的归还等有关。不同季节、土层、林龄之间的交互作用对土壤微生物和酶活性有显著影响。     

Can stable carbon isotopes (δ13C) in soil carbon be used to describe the dynamics of Eucalyptus savanna–rainforest boundaries in the Australian monsoon tropics?

The history of isolated patches of monsoon rainforest within large tracts of Eucalyptus savanna is poorly understood because of the scarcity of reliable palaeoecological records in the Australian monsoon tropics. Elsewhere in the world, the ratio of the stable isotopes ¹³C to ¹²C (δ¹³C) in soil organic matter has shed light on the dynamics of rainforest–savanna boundaries because tropical grasses with the C4 photosynthetic pathway have a distinct δ¹³C signature (–17 to –9‰) compared with that of woody plants with the C3 photosynthetic pathway (–32 to –22‰). In order to determine the magnitude of the variation in δ¹³C, unreplicated soil profiles were sampled beneath different vegetation types on three boundaries between Eucalyptus savanna and rainforest that were both growing on Tertiary age laterite parent material. Replicated (n = 3) soil profiles, which were also derived from Tertiary age laterite, were sampled from beneath: (i) dense stands of African grasses within a frequently burnt Eucalyptus savanna; and within the same long unburnt Eucalyptus savanna, (ii) patches of African and natives grasses and (iii) clumps of Acacia trees. The strongly negative δ¹³C values of soil organic matter derived from the frequently burnt and long unburnt grassy understoreys in the Eucalyptus savannas showed that a considerable amount of the soil carbon was derived from C3 (woody) species despite the presence of a ground layer dominated by C4 grasses. However, a feature of these data was the considerable variability among the three ‘replicate’ profiles. The surface soil samples from beneath three clumps of Acacia trees in the unburnt Eucalyptus savanna had much less variable δ¹³C values and were similar to two of the three monsoon rainforests sampled. The pattern of δ¹³C values from unreplicated soil profiles from different vegetation types across three rainforest boundaries was also very variable and not always obviously related the known disturbance history of the extant vegetation. Given the considerable variability within and between vegetation types with contrasting disturbance histories, it is concluded that the use of carbon stable isotopes to advance understanding of the dynamics of rainforest and Eucalyptus savanna boundaries will require further development, such as determination of the ¹⁴C age and δ¹³C values of different soil carbon fractions.     

南亚热带尾巨桉人工林土壤种子库特征研究

为了解桉树人工林土壤种子库特征,对不同林龄尾巨桉(Eucalyptusurophylla×E.grandis)人工林种子库的储量、垂直分布特征及与林下植被的相似度进行了分析。结果表明,土壤活力种子储量最高的为1～2 a生桉林,显著高于其他林型;其次为3～4 a生桉林和马尾松(Pinus massoniana)林;最低的为杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)林,显著低于其他林型。随林龄增加,尾巨桉林土壤种子库储量快速下降。土壤种子库中植物种类最为丰富的是杂木林和马尾松林,显著大于其他林型。随林龄增加,尾巨桉林土壤种子库植物种类先增后降。所有林型中,0～5 cm土壤种子库的密度均显著高于5～10 cm土层。杂木林种子库和林下植被共存植物种类最多,其次是马尾松林,杉木林最少。尾巨桉人工林随林龄的增加,共存植物种数呈先升高后下降趋势,土壤种子库Jaccard (CJ)和Sorensens (CS)相似系数也呈先升后降的趋势。因此,在速生桉人工林经营中适当间种(保留)乡土树种,可增加森林生态系统的生物多样性和生态功能的稳定性。     

短周期尾巨桉能源林生物量与能量特征研究

为开发和利用尾巨桉能源林,通过测量1~4年生植株的叶片、树枝、树根、树干和树皮的热值和生物量,对短周期尾巨桉能源林的生物量和能量特征进行了研究。结果表明,尾巨桉叶片、树枝、树干、树根、树皮和林分生物量均随林龄增加而增加,叶片、树枝、树皮生物量占单株总生物量的比例逐年减小,而树干则呈逐年升高趋势。1~4年生尾巨桉单株和林分的生物量分别为4.32~66.29 kg和10.68~153.33 t hm-2。生物量的结构特征表明,尾巨桉林分在第4年开始郁闭,生长以增加树干的生物量为主。尾巨桉各组分的平均干质量热值为17.23~20.56 kJ g-1,且差异极显著(P<0.01),以叶片的值最高、树皮的最低;同一组分不同林龄的热值差异不显著(P>0.05)。1~4年生尾巨桉的单株和林分能量现存量为81.61~1255.22 MJ和201.83~2903.32 GJ hm-2,其变化趋势及大小排列顺序与生物量相同。因此,对尾巨桉能源林可以4年短周期进行经营。     

Changes in the canopy structure of the Mediterranean shrub Lavandula stoechas after disturbance

Abstract. This study attempts to show the dynamics of the canopy structure of the Mediterranean pioneer shrub Lavandula stoechas after man-made perturbation (i.e. grazing). The development of the vertical structure of the shrub was studied by harvesting the canopy of plants of 2–6 yr old in horizontal layers. The supportive biomass of the canopy was concentrated near the base at all ages. Leaf biomass was evenly distributed all over the vertical profile in 2- and 3-yr old plants. In 4-yr old plants it presented a maximum near the top of the canopy. For 5-yr old plants a structural transition started with leaf profiles showing a bimodal distribution. Leaf biomass predominated near the base in 6-yr old plants, suggesting that the transition was completed. Three canopy stages in the growth processes of the plant were recognized after the first year of growth: in the first one (from 2 to 3 yr old) both leaf and supportive biomass increased; in the second one (from 3 to 4 yr) leaf biomass remained stable and there was an increase in supportive biomass until the plants reached a ‘mature stage’, in 4-yr old plants; finally, in 5- and 6-yr old plants there was a decrease both in leaf and supportive biomass and plant structure showed evidence of senescence. Early transitions from seedling to 1-yr old plant and from this to 2- to 3-yr old plants were less obvious. The leaf/supportive biomass ratio always decreased with plant age, from 1.88 in seedlings to 0.01 in 6-yr old plants. Biomass density followed the pattern of supportive biomass, with an increase from 1.7 g/dm³ (2-yr old plants) to 2.4 g/dm³ (4-yr old plants). Thereafter, biomass density decreased to 0.6 g/dm³ (6-yr old plants).     

Infestation of Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) on three Eucalyptus species in selected ecological zones in Malawi

The study determined variations in incidence, severity and damage of Glycaspis brimblecombei among Eucalyptus species and ecological zones, and the interaction between Eucalyptus species and ecological zones. Additionally, the study determined variation in pest abundance between the upper, middle and lower parts of the tree crown. The study was conducted in six districts located in four ecological zones in Malawi. Eucalyptus stands established in 2014–2016 or coppices from trees cut in that period were sampled for G. brimblecombei infestation. A significant interaction was found between Eucalyptus species and ecological zones on G. brimblecombei infestation. Significant differences were observed between ecological zones in G. brimblecombei infestation with lowest incidence, severity and damage being found in the cooler ecological zone M. Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus tereticornis showed high susceptibility to G. brimblecombei compared to Eucalyptus grandis. There were no significant differences in abundance between the upper, middle and lower tree crown parts of each Eucalyptus species. Control efforts for this psyllid should focus on breeding and planting of resistant Eucalyptus varieties in specifically recommended sites. The uniform distribution of the pest on different tree crown parts implies that use of contact insecticides on a large scale would be tedious and expensive.     

The potential of small Eucalyptus plantations in farmscapes to foster native woody plant diversity: local and landscape constraints

The major focus of ecological restorations has been on understanding local factors. However, landscape factors such as dispersal limitation of individuals or propagules across the surrounding matrix can also constrain the restoration progress. We investigated to what extent native woody species colonize and thrive in plantations, focusing on both the role of local factors such as grazing and canopy cover as well as on landscape factors. We recorded all native tree and shrub species in 60 small Eucalyptus plantations embedded in an open agricultural landscape at 0.1–12 km from a remnant continuous forest in central Ethiopia. We found a total of 1,571 individuals of native woody plants belonging to 55 species. Number of such species in a plantation increased significantly with the height of the grass sword indicating their sensitivity to grazing. Moreover, the number of woody species in the patches decreased significantly with distance to the forest. Our results illustrate the need for regulating the grazing pressure for a successful regeneration of native species in Eucalyptus plantations. In addition, sowing or planting native trees will be necessary in most plantations, as only few remnant natural forests that could act as seed sources occur across the Ethiopian highlands. Another main obstacle might be the prohibition of selling timber of native trees, which indirectly discourage farmers from letting native trees regenerate. Thus, the increasing cover of Eucalyptus seen across the country will not automatically foster a recovery of native woody plant biodiversity, even if managed to optimize local environmental conditions.     

Effects of European colonization on indigenous ecosystems: post-settlement changes in tree stand structures in Eucalyptus–Callitris woodlands in central New South Wales, Australia

Aim There has been considerable debate about pre‐settlement stand structures in temperate woodlands in south‐eastern Australia. Traditional histories assumed massive tree losses across the region, whereas a number of recent histories propose that woodlands were originally open and trees regenerated densely after settlement. To reconcile these conflicting models, we gathered quantitative data on pre‐settlement stand structures in Eucalyptus–Callitris woodlands in central New South Wales Australia, including: (1) tree density, composition, basal area and canopy cover at the time of European settlement; and (2) post‐settlement changes in these attributes. Location Woodlands dominated by Eucalyptus species and Callitris glaucophylla, which originally occupied approximately 100,000 km² in central New South Wales, Australia. Methods We recorded all evidence of pre‐settlement trees, including stumps, stags and veteran trees, from 39 relatively undisturbed 1‐ha stands within 16 State Forests evenly distributed across the region. Current trees were recorded in a nested 900 m² quadrat at each site. Allometric relationships were used to estimate girth over bark at breast height, tree basal area, and crown diameter from the girth of cut stumps. A post‐settlement disturbance index was developed to assess correlations between post‐settlement disturbance and attributes of pre‐settlement stands. Results The densities of all large trees (> 60 cm girth over bark at breast height) were significantly greater in current stands than at the time of European settlement (198 vs. 39 trees ha^?1). Pre‐settlement and current stands did not differ in basal area. However, the proportional representation of Eucalyptus and Callitris changed completely. At the time of settlement, stands were dominated by Eucalyptus (78% of basal area), whereas current stands are dominated by Callitris (74%). On average, Eucalyptus afforded 83% of crown cover at the time of settlement. Moreover, the estimated density, basal area and crown cover of Eucalyptus at the time of settlement were significantly negatively correlated with post‐settlement disturbance, which suggests that these results underestimate pre‐settlement Eucalyptus representation in the most disturbed stands. Main conclusions These results incorporate elements of traditional and recent vegetation histories. Since European settlement, State Forests have been transformed from Eucalyptus to Callitris dominance as a result of the widespread clearance of pre‐settlement Eucalyptus and dense post‐settlement recruitment of Callitris. Tree densities did increase greatly after European settlement, but most stands were much denser at the time of settlement than recent histories suggest. The original degree of dominance by Eucalyptus was unexpected, and has been consistently underestimated in the past. This study has greatly refined our understanding of post‐settlement changes in woodland stand structures, and will strengthen the foundation for management policies that incorporate historical benchmarks of landscape vegetation changes.