Common Name: Giant Mallee

General Information

Eucalyptus oleosa is an evergreen, multi-stemmed shrub growing up to 8 metres tall, occasionally becoming a tree up to 12 metres tall[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as an emergency source of water for travellers in the desert and for local use as a source of materials. It is sometimes grown in shelterbelts.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales

Habitat

Community codominant, in mallee shrubland on red aeolian sands[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	7.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus oleosa is native to the semi-arid temperate climate of southern Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 300 metres. Rainfall occurs mainly in the winter months with a mean annual rainfall within the range 200 - 450mm and a dry season of up to 8 months. The mean maximum temperature of the hottest month is 36 - 38°c; mean minimum temperature of the coldest month is 4°c, and there are generally up to 8 frosts a 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[].
Successfully planted in Morocco and Cyprus[].
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

This is one of several species of plant used by native Australians as a source of water where no free water was available. The roots were dug up, the bark removed and the roots cut into sections. These were then stood on end in a container into which the sap would drip, providing an often life-saving drink[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is useful as a shelterbelt in difficult terrain[]

Other Uses

The leaves are used for essential oil distillation[]. 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 1.1 - 2.1% (4.6% dry weight) essential oil. The main components include 1,8-cineole (52%), pinene (25%), limonene, aromadendrene, geraniol and aldehydes[].

The brown or red-brown wood is hard and durable. It is used for posts[].
The wood is used for 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[].