''Syncarpia hillii'' is a tree of the family

Myrtaceae Myrtaceae, the myrtle family, is a family of dicotyledonous plants placed within the order Myrtales. Myrtle, pōhutukawa, bay rum tree, clove, guava, acca (feijoa), allspice, and eucalyptus are some notable members of this group. All speci ...

which grows on

K'gari (Fraser Island) Fraser Island (Butchulla language, Butchulla: ) is a World Heritage List, World Heritage-listed island along the south-eastern coast in the Wide Bay–Burnett region, Queensland, Australia. The island is approximately north of the state capi ...

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

, and the surrounding Cooloola area. Common names for this species are satinay and Fraser Island turpentine. Large examples of this tree may be seen growing at the 'Central Station' picnic area on Fraser Island. A small plot of these trees has also been found on Moreton Island growing in a gully behind Mt Tempest. The tree can grow to 40 metres tall, and the trunk may reach one metre in diameter. It has been long regarded as a very valuable timber resource, being particularly useful for marine pylons. It is fire and termite resistant. However, supply is limited. Satinay timber was used as mooring posts in the

Suez Canal The Suez Canal ( arz, قَنَاةُ ٱلسُّوَيْسِ, ') is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus of Suez and dividing Africa and Asia. The long canal is a popular ...

. Resin from the sap has proven useful in treating chronic

ulcers An ulcer is a discontinuity or break in a bodily membrane that impedes normal function of the affected organ. According to Robbins's pathology, "ulcer is the breach of the continuity of skin, epithelium or mucous membrane caused by sloughing o ...

. The Aboriginal word for this species is "peebang". Rollo Petrie, grandson of

Tom Petrie Tom or TOM may refer to: * Tom (given name), a diminutive of Thomas or Tomás or an independent Aramaic given name (and a list of people with the name) Characters * Tom Anderson, a character in ''Beavis and Butt-Head'' * Tom Beck, a character ...

, who grew up on K'gari and learned the language of the forest, calls it the peebang tree in his memoir
Early Days on Fraser Island, 1913 to 1922
He states, "I have a peebang tree. It is my childhood belong me tree. It is over a thousand years old. I want my ashes scattered at its base. It is now 17.5 feet in circumference. So far it has escaped the axe. If it is cut down I shall die, but I will sing the "Kgari Spirit Song" so all Kgari desecrators will perish" (Roll Petrie, August 1990, taken from his "Nomination of the Great Sandy Region for World Heritage" listing (an unpublished paper).

References

Myrtaceae Myrtales of Australia Trees of Australia Flora of Queensland {{Australia-rosid-stub