Common Name: Tumbledown Gum

General Information

Eucalyptus dealbata is an evergreen tree growing up to 20 metres tall. The bole is usually short[, , ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - New South Wales, southeastern Queensland

Habitat

Scattered and locally dominant, in grassy woodland on skeletal soils usually on basic rocks[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus dealbata is native to the warm temperate and subtropical climate of eastern Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It grows in an area where either most rain falls in the winter or it is spread out through the year - mean annual precipitation is within the range 500 - 700mm. There are usually several frosts each year[].
Eucalyptus species generally require a sunny position, succeeding in a wide range of well-drained, circumneutral soils of low to moderate fertility[].
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

Agroforestry Uses:

The flowers are an excellent source of nectar and pollen for bees[].

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 0.9% (1.7% dry weight) essential oil. The main components include 1,8-cineole (up to 81%), alpha-pinene[]. It has been suggested for use as a perfume in soaps[].

The reddish wood is heavy, hard, moderately durable but with interlocked grain. The tree's poor form precludes its use as a saw timber, though it is sometimes used for posts and strainers[].
The wood is used as a fuel[]. A good 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[].