Common Name: Mealy Stringybark

General Information

Eucalyptus cinerea is an evergreen tree growing 8 - 15 metres tall[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood, which is mainly used for fuel. An attractive tree with a fibrous reddish bark that looks well with its silvery leaves, it is cultivated as a source of cut foliage for use in flower arranging and is often grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - northeastern Victoria, southeastern New South Wales

Habitat

Tablelands; at elevations from 500 - 800 metres[]. Found in wet areas with clay soils in sclerophyllous woodland[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus cinerea is native to the warm temperate climate of southeastern Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 800 metres. Summers are hot and can be dry or moist, winters are moist, there is usually a dry season of 3 - 4 months in the warmer months. Mean annual rainfall is within the range 500 - 700mm; mean maximum of the hottest month is 26 - 29°c; mean minimum of the coldest month is 0 - 4°c, and there are generally around 15 - 45 frosts a year[]. Trees, especially when grown on well-drained sites, can tolerate short periods with temperatures falling to around -10°c[].
Eucalyptus species generally require a sunny position, succeeding in a wide range of well-drained, circumneutral soils of low to moderate fertility[]. Found in the wild on clay soils, and also tolerant of wetter soils[].
The tree has a moderate rate of growth[].
The tree is widely grown as an ornamental, valued for its glaucous foliage and convenient tree height for a suburban garden. The foliage, especially of coppiced plants, is widely used for floral arrangements[, ].
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[].
Trees respond well to regular coppicing[].
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

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 1.1 - 3.5% essential oil. The main components are 1,8-cineole (up to 78%), alpha-pinene, butyraldehyde, and valeraldehyde[].
The essential oil obtained from the leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an astringent, deodorant, flavouring and masking agent[].

The wood is rather soft and weak. It is not much used except as fuel[].

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[].