Eucalyptus obliqua is generally recorded as native to the temperate and subtropical regions of southeastern and eastern Australia, being found as far south as Tasmania, as far west as southwestern South Australia and as far north as southeastern Queensland. There is, however, also a report of the plant growing in Timor, Indonesia, some 3,500 kilometres from its nearest other report. It is listed by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families as being native to Timor (https://wcsp.science.kew.org/namedetail.do?name_id=73453) a treatment we are accepting here.

Common Name: Messmate

General Information

Eucalyptus obliqua is an evergreen tree; it can grow up to 70 metres tall, exceptionally to 90 metres. The long, straight bole can be up to 210cm in diameter, exceptionally to 300cm[, ].
Commonly harvested from the wild, this is one of the most important hardwood species in Australia and it also supplies a range of other materials. It has been planted for timber in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Madagascar and South Africa[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southeast Asia - Indonesia (Lesser Sunda Islands) to Australia - Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania

Habitat

Closed forests and wet sclerophyll forests in mountains in areas with winter frosts, often forming pure stands; at elevations up to 1,300 metres[, ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	60.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus obliqua is native to the temperate and subtropical climate of southeastern and eastern Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 1,300 metres. It is also found on the tropical island of Timor, Indonesia. Rainfall in Australia can occur all year round, with a mean annual rainfall within the range 700 - 1,250mm and a dry season of up to 4 months. The mean maximum temperature of the hottest month is 27 - 32°c; mean minimum temperature of the coldest month is 2 - 5°c, and there are generally around 10 - 100 frosts a year[]. The plant is said to be able to tolerate short periods with temperatures down to about -10°c when it is fully dormant[].
Prefers a sunny position in a moderately fertile well-drained moisture retentive circum-neutral soil[]. Tolerates poor and dry soils, especially those low in mineral elements[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
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[].
Whilst most Eucalyptus species, grown in small numbers outside their native range, can be an attractive and useful addition to the landscape, certain species (including this one) are more problematic. When grown in monocultures, especially outside their native range, they can become an environmental disaster. They are voracious, especially in their use of water; they are allelopathic, inhibiting the growth of the native flora; they reduce habitats for native fauna; and encourage the worst possible attitudes to land use and conservation[].
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[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Kino resin, obtained from the trunk, is very astringent. Diluted, it can be taken internally as an effective treatment for dysentery, working because it is not absorbed at all from the stomach and only very slowly from the intestine, and is thus able to directly treat the lower part of the intestine. It can be used as a gargle and mouthwash to treat relaxed throat, loose teeth[, ].
Applied externally as a wash, it is an effective styptic and can used to treat cuts and skin problems[].

Agroforestry Uses:

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

Other Uses

Leaves of this species, from Cambewarra, New South Wales, yielded 41.13% of extract, and 17.2% of tannic acid[].
The bark contains from 2.5 - 4.19% of kinotannin[]. Like other stringybarks, this yields a kino gum of a ruby colour, perfectly transparent and bright-looking, and quite soluble in water[]. The gum contains tannins and is astringent[]. Soluble in water, they can be used medicinally; in tanning; as well as for preserving and dyeing natural fibres. When boiled in an iron pot they produce a thick, dark liquid that can be used as an ink[].
The resin oozes naturally from wounds in the trunk and can be tapped by making incisions in the bark. At first it is a thick liquid, but soon hardens upon exposure to the air and sun, typically drying to an amber-like material that consists of dark red angular fragments, rarely larger than a pea. Freshly exuded kino is more effective than kino that has been on the tree for a long while, since the soluble portion can be more or less washed out and the action of the sun can alter their chemical composition[].

A reddish-yellow essential oil with a mild odour and a bitter taste is obtained from the plant (part not specified)[].
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 0.7 - 3.8% (2.2 - 5.4% dry weight) essential oil. The main components include phellandrene, 1,8-cineole, cymene, aldehydes and piperitone[].


Leaves of this species, from Cambewarra, New South Wales, yielded 41.13% of extract, and 17.2% of tannic acid[].

The bark from the stems of old trees is used for thatching buildings, and for door mats[]. An excellent rope can also be made from the fibre in the bark[].

The light brown, straw coloured wood resembles English Oak (Quercus spp.). It is straight grained, hard, strong and durable[]. Near the base the wood assumes a beautiful wavy figure, which is admirably adapted for furniture, and very ornamental[]. It is easily worked; takes a good surface from the tool; splits upon nailing and so pre-boring is advised. It is difficult to season, and shrinks unevenly. It is used for construction, interior trim, joinery, furniture, boxes, poles, piles, posts, railway sleepers, veneer, plywood and woodwool[, , ].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

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[].