Common Name: Mt. Wellington Peppermint

General Information

Eucalyptus coccifera is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 20 metres tall, occasionally even taller, though at higher elevations it can become a multi-stemmed shrub or small, stunted tree[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a dye and source of wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - Tasmania, Victoria.

Habitat

Mountains; at elevations up to 1,200 metres[]. Usually occupying cold upland sites at the altitudinal limits for tree growth[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus coccifera is native to the temperate climate of southeastern Australia, especially Tasmania, where it is found at elevations 730 - 1,300 metres. Rainfall occurs mainly in the winter, with a mean annual rainfall in the range of 500 - 1,000mm. There are generally around 100 - 150 frosts a year[]. Plants are very frost resistant[, ], tolerating long periods down to -10°c and short periods down to -16°c[].
Prefers a sunny position in a moderately fertile well-drained moisture retentive circum-neutral soil[]. Tolerates poor soils, especially those low in mineral elements[]. Tolerates dry soils and also drought once it is established. A very wind hardy tree[, , ], tolerating salt-laden winds[].
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[].
A very ornamental tree, it grows very well in Britain as far north as the west of Scotland[].
The leaves are extremely aromatic[].
Plants are shallow-rooting and, especially in windy areas, should be planted out into their permanent positions when small to ensure that they do not suffer from wind-rock[]. They strongly resent root disturbance and should be container grown before planting out into their permanent position[].
Plants are subject to 'silver leaf' disease[].
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

Agroforestry Uses:

The flowers are rich in nectar and are a good bee crop[].

Other Uses

Olive-green and gold dyes are obtained from the leaves[].

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 0.6% (0.9 - 2.5% dry weight) essential oil. The main components are1,8-cineole (up to 20), phellandrene, cymene, eudesmol[].

An excellent fuel, it is similar in quality to ash, Fraxinus excelsior[].

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[].