The desert oak is a slow-growing tree found in deep sands. Many of the adult trees in the park are likely to be more than 1000 years old!

Young desert oaks look like Christmas trees, while mature trees form large, spreading canopies. The adult trees have a furrowed cork-like bark that protects them from fire.

Culture

Anangu extract desert oak seeds from the woody cone for roasting and eating. In the warmer months, the cones exude a sweet, white fluid that is good for drinking.

Children sometimes make necklaces from desert oak leaves. The dense, resinous timber makes excellent firesticks because it does not easily go out once alight.