Common Name: White Ash

General Information

Eucalyptus fraxinoides is an evergreen tree with a heavy crown; it can grow 20 - 40 metres tall. The bole is usually straight and cylindrical, often more than half the total height of the tree, and can reach 100cm in diameter. In exposed situations at high elevations, the tree may be reduced to a smaller and somewhat bushy tree [, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild and also cultivated for its wood. The species has grown well in New Zealand and South Africa where the largest specimens are probably larger than the best Australian examples[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - northeastern Victoria, southeastern New South Wales

Habitat

Sclerophyllous forest on cool, moist mountain slopes or peaks; at elevations from 150 - 1,000 metres[]. Mountain slopes and tablelands; at elevations up to 900 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus fraxinoides is native to the temperate climate of southeastern Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 900 metres. Summers are warm and can be dry, with most rainfall occurring in the winter months and a dry season of up to 4 months. Mean annual rainfall is within the range 1,100 - 1,500mm often falling as snow; mean maximum temperature of the hottest month is 21°c; mean minimum temperature of the coldest month is 0°c, and there are generally around 50 - 100 frosts a year[]. When dormant, the plant can survive short periods with temperatures down to about -10°c, but young growth is more tender and can be severely damaged at -1°c[].
Requires a sunny position, succeeding in a range of well-drained soils of low to moderate fertility[]. Found in the wild on on brown podsolic or alpine humus soils; sometimes on rocky outcrops[]. Plants are very intolerant of lime in the soil, and soon show symptoms of chlorosis[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7[].
A fast-growing tree[].
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% essential oil. The main components include phellandrene, 1,8-cineole, piperitone, and eudesmol[].

The pale coloured wood is open textured, straight-grained and easy to split. It is light in weight for a eucalypt and not very durable. It is used for joinery, flooring and general construction[, ]. A very good wood[].

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[].