(1) First, leatherwood is among the earliest flowering species in the region (late April-early May).(2) The wide temperature swings characteristic of the leatherwood flowering period in the Upper Peninsula is probably among the most severe within its range.(3) Myrtles and leatherwoods thickly adorn the river bank and the large grass tree (richea pandanifolia) is also present.(4) But we're quickly succumbing to the river's magnificence; its sweet-tasting, clear waters, tinged brown by the tannin leaching off plants, surging and meandering between banks crowded with a jostling throng of trees, tall leatherwoods dropping white blossoms into the foam-covered eddies.(5) After much prompting and insistence by beekeepers, Forestry Tasmania agreed to try and retain leatherwoods (subject to safety considerations) in one of the Class 4 (small flowing streams) stream reserves of 10m on either side of the stream, on the Northern side of the coupe.(6) Following his initial studies, Bill began an experiment to test the hypothesis that low temperatures during winter limit the sexual reproductive success of western leatherwoods at certain sites.
