Common Name: Powderbark Wandoo

General Information

Eucalyptus accedens is an evergreen tree with a heavily-branched crown; it can grow 20 - 25 metres tall. It has a relatively large bole, reaching around 30% of the total height of the tree[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild as a source of wood and tannins.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - western Western Australia

Habitat

Savannah woodland, on sandy or gravelly soils; at elevations up to 300 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	18.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus accedens is native to the Mediterranean climate of southwestern Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 300 metres. Summers are hot and dry, with most rainfall occurring in the winter months. Mean annual rainfall is within the range 300 - 600mm; mean maximum of the hottest month is 35 - 36°c; mean minimum of the coldest month is 2 - 4°c, and there are generally around 5 - 20 frosts a year[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -8°c, but young growth is more tender and can be severely damaged at -1°c[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Succeeds in a range of well-drained soils, being found in the wild in soils of low fertility that can be shallow[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 5 - 7.5[]. Established plants are very tolerant of drought[].
An attractive tree with a smooth white bark[].
The plant develops a lignotuber - this is a woody tuber that starts to develop near the base of seedlings and can become massive in the mature plants of some species. It possesses embedded vegetative buds, allowing the plant to regenerate following crown destruction, for example by fire[].
Eucalyptus species have not adopted a deciduous habit and continue to grow until it is too cold for them to do so. This makes them more susceptible to damage from sudden cold snaps. If temperature fluctuations are more gradual, as in a woodland for example, the plants have the opportunity to stop growing and become dormant, thus making them more cold resistant. A deep mulch around the roots to prevent the soil from freezing also helps the trees to survive cold conditions[]. Many members of this genus are remarkably adaptable however, and there can be a dramatic increase in the hardiness of subsequent generations from the seed of survivors growing in temperate zones[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The tree has a high tannin content in both bark and wood[].

An essential oil is obtained from the leaves. Total quantity of the oil, and its composition, can vary widely from plant to plant, but we have reports that the fresh leaves contain around 0.9% (0.9% dry weight) essential oil. The main components include 1,8-cineole, pinene, aromadendrene and eudesmol[].

The dark red wood is very heavy, hard, strong and tough. A good timber[, ].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow late winter/early spring in a sunny position in a greenhouse[, , ]. Species that come from high altitudes appreciate 6 - 8 weeks cold stratification at 2°c[]. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as the second set of seed leaves has developed, if left longer than this they might not move well. Plant out into their permanent positions in early summer and give them some protection from the cold in their first winter. The seed can also be sown in early summer, the young trees being planted in their final positions in late spring of the following year. The seed has a long viability[].