The west coast of Tasmania produces three pine trees – Huon Pine, Celery-top and King Billy. After the 1930s when the highly favoured Huon Pine was no longer available in any real quantity, King Billy and to a lesser degree Celery-top pine took its place. Although not quite as old or tall as the Huon pine, the King Billy pine is considered far rarer, and is now listed as threatened native vegetation by the Tasmanian government. As a specialty timber, it has been used in boats, furniture, musical instruments and sculptures. 

A handful of families were involved in the commercial harvesting of the King Billy Pine; among them were the Howards (the author’s father and grandfather), the Lees, and the Bradshaws. This book is the story of their lives, their communities and their industry.