General Description

A fast growing, medium sized evergreen tree or large shrub. Visually appealing peeling bark, rich menthol scented foliage and clusters of white flowers.

Landscape

A cold hardy evergreen quickly growing in popularity, is commonly used as an ornamental tree/specimen. Often planted as an accent plant/shrub or maintained as a patio tree.

Cultivation

Well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic soil with full sun. Drought tolerate once established. A shallow-rooting plant, thus does not favour any root disturbance.

Shape

Medium-sized, columnar and upright when left to grow without maintenance or pruning.

Growth

Fast

ID Characteristic

Easily identified by its peeling grey to cream coloured bark, rounded and brightly coloured glaucous juvenile foliage. Unmistakably strong menthol-scented oils emitted from the foliar oil glands and its white inflorescence flower clusters that resemble 'pom poms'.

Pests

Eucalyptus gall wasps attack during the spring and can cause a large amount of leaf loss, leaving the plant vulnerable. Susceptible to honey fungus and leaf beetle.

Habitat

High elevations in Tasmania, South Wales, and Victoria, Australia, and alpine regions such as Tasmania's central plateau at an elevation of 1,000 - 1,200 m above sea level.

Bark/Stem Description

Beautiful and distinctive bark, smooth to the touch and varies in colour from grey-green to cream occasionally brown with a spots of pink. The bark peels off in large pieces, revealing new bark underneath which can vary from a yellow-green to light grey in colour.

Flower/Leaf Bud Description

Eucalyptus buds form in clusters on single stalks. The individual bud consists of a bell shaped capsule called an operculum and a cap on top called a calyptra that is shaped like a 'Hershey Kiss'. The operculum is made up of fused petals, sepals, or both.

Leaf Description

Juvenile foliage is oppositely arranged, with a cordate blade, entire leaf margin and obtuse apice, a silver-blue in colour. Mature foliage is very waxy in appearance and dark green. Both juvenile and mature foliage is covered in oil glands which secrete a scent similar to menthol.

Flower Description

The flowers are arranged as an umbel inflorescence in clusters of 2 or 3, very much resembling pom-poms. They are white in colour and a very abundant source of nectar for bees.

Fruit Description

The fruit consists of a bell shaped capsule called an operculum. It varies in colour from green to grey-blue. It is approximately 10 mm long and 5 mm wide.

Colour Description

Its peeling bark ranges from a dark grey-green to creamy white. The new bark is often creamy-white to yellow-green. Juvenile foliage is glaucous, showing and eye-capturing silvery, green-blue colour. Mature foliage is dark green with hints of greys and blues. Seed capsules are light to dark brown and flowers are white in bloom.

Texture Description

Generally a smooth textured plant.

Notable Specimens

The Royal Botanical Gardens, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Propagation

Propagate by seed. Seeds require a moist and cold stratification (35 -40°F) for a period of 6-8 weeks prior to planting. Use light, non-compacting and neutral pH soil. The seed should germinate within a few weeks. Eucalyptus cuttings are difficult to root, therefore is not the favoured method of propagation.

Sibley, David Allen. The Sibley Guide to Trees. New York: Random House Inc, 2009. P.106 Print. Stuart, Malcom. 1985. The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism. London, GB: Orbis Publishin. Print.