Common Name: Coral Gum

General Information

Eucalyptus torquata is an evergreen tree with a rounded crown; it can grow up to 12 metres tall. The bole is shortish[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials. A good ornamental, often cultivated in the arid zone of Australia, with very attractive buds and flowers[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - southern central Western Australia

Habitat

Hillsides, on stony loam or clay soils and red sands[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus torquata is native to the arid and semi-arid climate of western Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 300 metres. Rainfall occurs mainly in the winter or as a result of occasional storms, with a mean annual rainfall within the range 200 - 300mm and a severe dry season of up to 8 months. The mean maximum temperature of the hottest month is 38°c; mean minimum temperature of the coldest month is 2 - 5°c, and there are generally up to 11 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[].
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 flowers are an abundant source of nectar for bees[].

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 3.6% (dry weight) essential oil. The main components include 1,8-cineole, pinene, eudesmol, torquatone[].

The dark brown wood is hard and dense. It is mainly used as fuelwood[].

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[].