Ironbark

Ironbark is a common name of a number of species in three taxonomic groups within the genus Eucalyptus that have dark, deeply furrowed bark.

[1] Instead of being shed annually as in many of the other species of Eucalyptus, the dead bark accumulates on the trees, forming the fissures.

[2] The tree is so named for the apparent resemblance of its bark to iron slag.

[3] Being a very dense, hard wood, a length of ironbark is often used as a bug shoe on the bottom of a ship's skeg to protect it from shipworms.

[4] Ironbark was widely used in the piles of 19th and early 20th century bridges and wharves in New Zealand.