Common Name: Desert Gum

General Information

Eucalyptus gongylocarpa is an evergreen tree with a crown that is often as wide as the tree is tall; it usually grows around 8 - 12 metres tall, occasionally reaching 20 metres. The trunk can be erect or crooked, and is often divided into two or more main stems[].
The tree is used locally for its wood and to provide shade and shelter.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - central Western Australia, northwestern South Australia, southeastern Northern Territory

Habitat

Dry inland regions, where it is found on sand plains, undulating country or dunes, sometimes close to salt lakes; at elevations from 350 - 600 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus gongylocarpa is native to the arid climate of central Australia, where it is found at elevations from 350 - 600 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 38°c, but can tolerate 8 - 44°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -2°c, but young growth is more tender and can be severely damaged at 0°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 150 - 250mm, but tolerates 125 - 300mm[].
Requires a sunny position, succeeding in a range of light to medium-textured, well-drained soils of low fertility[]. Usually found in the wild on red or red-brown, sands or loamy sands, often over red and brown massive hardpans[]. Tolerant of moderate levels of salt in the soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.5 - 6.5[].
The tree coppices well and generally recovers after a 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 tree is grown to provide shade and shelter[].

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 1.9% (dry weight) essential oil. The main components include pinene (47%), 1,8-cineole (33%)[].
The bark contains around 1% essential oil. The main components include 1,8-cineole, globulol[].

The wood is used for posts[].
The dense wood burns well and makes 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[].