Common Name: Gimlet

General Information

Eucalyptus salubris is an evergreen, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with a spreading, moderately dense crown; it can grow from 8 - 25 metres tall. The bole can be up to 50% the total height of the tree and up to 60cm in diameter, but is often shortish with the tree branching from very low dowm[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild as a source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - southern Western Australia

Habitat

Mainly on plains; at elevations from 100 - 350 metres[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus salubris is native to the Mediterranean and semi-arid climate of southwestern Australia, where it is found at elevations from 300 - 400 metres. Rainfall either occurs in the winter, or comes in occasional storm rains; the mean annual rainfall is within the range 250 - 400mm and irregular severe dry periods of several months can occur. The mean maximum temperature of the hottest month is 32 - 35°c; mean minimum temperature of the coldest month is 4°c, and there are generally around 10 frosts a year[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -5°c, but young growth is more tender and can be severely damaged at 0°c[].
Requires a sunny position, succeeding in a range of well-drained soils of low to moderate fertility[]. The plant grows naturally on sandy loam to clayey soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7, tolerating 5.5 - 7.5[].
A useful small tree and attractive ornamental[].
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

The bark contains 18 - 20% tannin[].

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 1.4% (1.5% dry weight) essential oil. The main components include 1,8-cineole (around 49%), pinene (around 16%), cymene, aromadendrene[].

The pale brown wood is hard, dense, strong;. It is used for posts, poles and minor constructions[, ].
The wood is used for fuel]418, ].

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[].