Woody > Corymbia > Corymbia citriodora > Corymbia citriodora
Corymbia citriodora
Origin: The Corymbia Citriodora is a tall tree native to the northeastern areas of Australia.
Mike's
Opinion
"
The Lemon Scented Gum Tree is a very interesting variety of Eucalyptus. At a first glance its tall, pale, lanky looking form reminds me of myself. Seeing them in a large group is a bit strange at first as the pale white bark looks unique. Its lemon scented oils can be used as an insect repellent. This tree stands out to me because it’s one of the only Eucalyptus trees that doesn’t smell like Eucalyptus, it smells of lemon instead.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Myrtaceae |
| Genus |
| Corymbia |
| Species |
| citriodora |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (evergreen) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 9 - 11 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 8 - 11 |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H4 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| (-3) - 39 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 26.6 - 102.2 |
| Height |
| 30 - 50 m |
| Spread |
| 24 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| The lemon scented leaves are a pale green colour and don’t change colour throughout the seasons. One distinguishable feature the tree has is that the first branch often grows halfway up the height of the tree. The bark peels off as time passes and reveals a smooth, pale-white bark underneath that will turn grey after time. |
| Landscape |
| The Corymbia citriodora has a variety of uses in the landscape. It can be planted in groups to provide shade and shelter. They also use the tree as a windbreaker, and for land reclamation. This tree has always been used as an ornamental landscape tree. |
| Cultivation |
| The Corymbia Citriodora is a very resilient plant. It can handle a very long dry period (5-7 months). It isn’t a very cold hardy plant but it can do well in areas that occasionally have frost. It likes a nice sunny area with well drained, fertile soil, although it can tolerate poor dry soils with low mineral content. These trees are very drought tolerant once they are established. |
| Shape |
| The tree is often straight stemmed with an upright form ranging from 25- 40 meters tall. |
| Growth |
| Medium |
| ID Characteristic |
| One easy identification characteristic is the strong citrus smell the leaves and wood gives off. Another key feature is the pale, narrow, tall stem of the tree, with its creamy whitish grey bark. Another thing to consider when identifying the species is the lignotuber at the base of the tree’s trunk. |
| Pests |
| The tree is often a host for psyllids. They suck out the plant’s juices leaving it all bummy. This pest is also known for secreting honeydew that can lead to a sooty mold forming on the tree. It can also be an attraction for beetle borers. Oval shaped holes are a sign of infestation. Root rot can also be a problem for these trees. Unsterilized soil or contaminated water can be a cause of this in a garden setting. |
| Habitat |
| The corymbia citriodora grows mainly in dry forests and woodlands. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| The bark is smooth throughout the stem. It has a pale whitish grey colour and sheds off the trunk in thin curling flakes. The tree is often single stemmed with wide spreading foliage. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| The flower buds are in groups of three and have a pale green colour. In late spring to early summer the flowers open up to reveal a beautiful creamy white flower. |
| Leaf Description |
| The leaves are alternating, the petiole is 1-2.5 centimetres long. The blades are narrow and can be 10-23 centimetres long. The leaf as a glossy green colour, and when crushed they smell strongly of lemon or citronella. |
| Fruit Description |
| The Fruit is barrel shaped (urceolate) 0.8-1.5 centimetres long. 0.7-1.2 centimetres wide with pedicels 0.1–0.7 centimetres long. |
| Colour Description |
| The bark is a smooth, powdery whitish grey bark colour. The plant has evergreen foliage that stays the same shade of green the whole year round and is shiny/glossy. |
| Texture Description |
| The bark is said to have a smooth almost powdery feeling to it. The leaves are glossy. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Kings Park in Perth Australia has a very beautiful avenue lined with this tree. |
| Propagation |
| The seedlings can be surface sown from a sunny position in the green house during February/March. They like to have 6 - 8 weeks cold stratification at 2°C. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as the second set of seed leaves have developed. Plant into permanent positions as soon as possible. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| The Corymbia Citriodora is used for a wide variety of things in the world. Its timber is relied on for construction uses. It’s also important in the production of honey. Corymbia leaves are also used as a traditional aboriginal herbal remedy. The essential oil of the tree contains a high amount of citronella which can be used as an antiseptic or antibacterial. This oil can also just be used as a perfume as it has a strong citrus smell to it. The leaves also produce a sweet manna like substance that can be enjoyed as a tasty treat. |
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