What the early settlers called Cedar Scrub is technically Dry Rainforest.  The “Cedar-Getters” were primarily looking for Red Cedar (Toona ciliata) which was a highly-prized timber in Europe. These trees grew up to 60 metres tall and were an integral part of the Dry Rainforest.

Dry Rainforest is a special type of rainforest that occurs in lower rainfall areas (630-1100mm) per annum. It may grade into the more commonly identified subtropical, tropical or temperate rainforests.

In the Hunter, Dry Rainforest has two main layers. The upper is the emergent layer,  made up of taller eucalypts, figs and lacebarks. The lower layer may have up to 60 species in the Hunter.  Together with vines, it forms the forest canopy. 

Dry Rainforest plants generally have smaller leaves than other rainforest species and can be semi-deciduous. Woody vines and epiphytes are common in the Hunter Dry Rainforest.  Palms are rare and ground species are much sparser compared to other types of rainforest.