Common Name:

General Information

Eucalyptus transcontinentalis is an evergreen tree that can grow from 10 - 25 metres tall. The bole can be up to 100cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is one of the few large species in the arid areas in which it is found; it is harvested in quantity from the wild for use as a fuel in the local mining industry. The markedly glaucous branches and blue-green leaves make it an attractive tree[]

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - southwestern Western Australia

Habitat

Flats and low hills, growing on red sand, red sandy loam, calcareous loam and brown clay loam soils[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	18.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus transcontinentalis is native to the arid and semi-arid climate ofsouthwestern Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 300 metres. Rainfall occurs mainly in the winter, with a mean annual rainfall within the range 250 - 380mm and a severe dry season of 7 - 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[]. 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 light to medium-textured, well-drained soils of moderate fertility[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7, tolerating 5.5 - 7.5[].
A good tree for near desert 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

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 3.9% (dry weight) essential oil. The main components include 1,8-cineole (around 47%), pinene (26%), aromadendrene[].

The red-brown wood is tough, hard and durable. It is used as firewood in the mining industry[, ]

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[].