05 Mountain Ash Forest - Central Highlands (EVC 30)

Community structure 

Tall open forest dominated by an upper storey of Eucalyptus regnans (Mountain Ash) to 70m high in higher rainfall areas. E. obliqua(Messmate), E. cypellocarpa (Mountain Grey Gum) and E. viminalis (Manna Gum) may also be present, the latter especially along watercourses. Blackwoods and Silver Wattles dominate in eucalypt-free areas. The middle storey has scattered trees over tall broad-leaved shrubs and tree ferns. The moist shaded ground layer is usually dominated by ferns with sedges, wire grass and herbs.

Distribution 

The most common vegetation community of the Central Highlands from 500-1000m altitude where rainfall is high, cloud cover at ground level is frequent and soil is fertile, well-drained loams. It is restricted to protected sites and gullies, especially on the southern sides of the mountains. It spreads from Mt. St. Leonard in the west with a couple of isolated patches on Mt. Slide along the centre above the Yarra River to the northern boundary of the Shire. There are also scattered patches towards the south from below Warburton to above the Upper Yarra Dam. 

Typical suburbs/areas occurring in this EVC are:  

Fernshaw, North of  Don Valley, Warburton, McMahons Creek and Reefton; north of Powelltown; Flowerpot Hill. 

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