Gum from the Living Trees

Gum was collected from the living kauris where it had lodged high up in the branches. There was a time when “bleeding” was practised too. Armed with climbing hooks, spiked boots, ropes, and tomahawks, men would climb the trees and cut V-shaped “taps”, 18 in. apart round the barrel of the tree at intervals of about 6 ft. The exuded gum was harvested every six months. “Bleeding” was discontinued in State forests when the Department realised that it was injurious to the trees.