Common Name: Blackbutt Peppermint

General Information

Eucalyptus smithii is an evergreen tree with a good crown; it can grow up to 40 metres tall. The bole is short and stout[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood and essentail oil. It has been grown experimentally as a timber crop and for the production of eucalyptus essential oil in Brazil, Guatemala and Zaire[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - eastern Victoria, southeastern New South Wales

Habitat

Locally frequent, in shallow soils on sloping sites[]. Tablelands and scarps; at elevations up to 500 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus smithii is native to the temperate climate of southeastern Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 500 metres. Rainfall can occur all year round, with a mean annual rainfall within the range 750 - 1,250mm and a dry season that is not usually severe of up to 3 months. The mean maximum temperature of the hottest month is 22 - 28°c; mean minimum temperature of the coldest month is 2 - 9°c, and there are generally around zero to 20 frosts a year[].When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -10°c, but young growth is more tender and can be severely damaged at -1°c[].
Requires a sunny position, succeeding in a medium-textured, well-drained soil of high to moderate fertility[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 5 - 7.5[].
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[].
A good valley tree for timber and honey production[].
The fragrant lower bark peels away from the treet[]
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

The essential oil from the leaves is used in aromatherapy[].

Agroforestry Uses:

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

Other Uses

The crushed leaves are a good source of eucalypt essential oil[].
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 - 3.0% essential oil. The main component is cineole (around 75 - 81%), plus pinene, eudesmol, globulol [, ]. The oil is used in aromatherapy[].
The essential oil obtained from the leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a perfume[].

The wood is used occasionally for milling and for woodchips[].

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[].