Carved trees: Aboriginal cultures of western NSW

Ornate and expressive, carved trees have been used by Aboriginal people in New South Wales as a form of visual communication for thousands of years.

These elaborate cultural expressions — carved into the sapwood and heartwood of trees once a section of external bark was removed — were meant to last. Sadly, after European colonisation, the practice was abandoned and the original meanings lost.

Album 05: Bora Ground at Banaway [Collymongle] Wiradjuri Country European discovery Return of the trees

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Exhibition Details

16 Apr 2011 – 26 Jun 2011
Exhibition Galleries
State Library opening hours
Admission: Free

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The Dendroglyphs or Carved Trees of NSW

First published in 1918, this 2011 facsimile reprint has a new cover, half-title page and reduced size map. Published by Sydney University Press in conjunction with the State Library of NSW.
Hardcover $40.00 

Available from the Library Shop