Common Name:

General Information

Eucalyptus subcrenulata is an evergreen tree. It is typically found as a small to medium sized montane species growing from 10 - 25 metres tall; in less-exposed sites it often has an almost straight trunk with many lateral branches, in open situations these can persist nearly to ground level. The bole can be 50 - 150cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - western and central Tasmania

Habitat

Mountain tops, on steep, exposed ridges, on steep and moderate slopes and on plateaux; at elevations from 550 - 1,200 metres[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus subcrenulata is native to the temperate climate of Tasmania, where it is found at elevations up to 1,200 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 10 - 15°c, but can tolerate 5 - 21°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -15°c, but young growth is more tender and can be severely damaged at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 1,000 - 2,500mm[].
Requires a sunny position, succeeding in a range of light to medium-textured, well-drained soils of low fertility[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7[].
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 fairly fast-growing tree, in Oregon it has achieved a height of 8 metres in three and a half years[].
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

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 - 4.6% (dry weight) essential oil. The main components include 1,8-cineole (up to 62%), pinene, eudesmol, cymene and spathulenol[].

The heartwood is a pale pink-brown and of moderately high density. The wood is easily worked, and is used for joinery and cabinet work[].

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[].