Common Name: Salt River Gum

General Information

Eucalyptus sargentii is an evergreen tree with a wide-spreading crown; it can grow 8 - 11 metres tall. The bole is usually short, branching low with steeply ascending primary branches; it can be up to 60cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials. Succeeding in saline soils and tolerating drought, the tree is grown as a street tree and for land reclamation.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - southwestern Western Australia

Habitat

Primarily found in low-lying areas of poor drainage; at elevations up to 300 metres[, ].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	9.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus sargentii is native to the Mediterranean and semi-arid climate of southwestern Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 300 metres. Rainfall can occur in winter or as a result of occasional storms, with a mean annual rainfall within the range 300 - 380mm and irregular periods of several months when there are severe droughts. The mean maximum temperature of the hottest month is 34 - 36°c; mean minimum temperature of the coldest month is 4°c, and there are generally around 25 frosts a year[]. 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[].
Requires a sunny position, succeeding in a range of light to medium-textured soils of moderate fertility[]. Found in the wild on grey or brown sandy loams, frequently in areas where salt is evident on the surface of the soil. It is one of the last species to die in areas of increasing salinity[]. Prefers a pH in the range 7 - 8, tolerating 6.5 - 8.5[].
It is grown as a street tree in Perth and Adelaide[].
This species is one of the most salt-tolerant eucalypts and is resistant to winds, drought and moderate frost; it has demonstrated its tolerance of drought and saline conditions in Mediterranean conditions[, ].
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 plant has been successfully established on salty areas and mine dumps at Broken Hill, New South Wales[].
The tree is grown in order to provide shade, shelter, and windbreaks[].

Other Uses

Tannin is obtained from the bark[].

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 1.6% (dry weight) essential oil. The main components include 1,8-cineole (49%), pinene (12%), trans-pinocarveol (5%)[].

The heartwood is pale brown, tough, dense and straight-grained. It is not present in sufficient quantity for commercial exploitation[].
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[].