Common Name:

General Information

Eucalyptus wandoo is an evergreen tree with a compact crown according to one report[], whilst another says that the crown is large and relatively lightly branched[]; The tree can grow 25 - 30 metres tall with a bole that is often straight, 50 - 65% of the total height of the tree and up to 80 - 100cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild as a source of wood and tannins.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - southwestern Western Australia

Habitat

Usually found in valleys or on low ridges and plateaux; at elevations from 100 - 300 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus wandoo is native to the Mediterranean climate of southwestern 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 500 - 1,000mm and a dry season that can be severe of 6 - 7 months. The mean maximum temperature of the hottest month is 35°c; mean minimum temperature of the coldest month is 2 - 4°c, and there are generally around 5 - 20 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 soils of low 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[].
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:

Forests of this species are valued for watershed protection and recreation[].

Other Uses

The wood and bark contain 10 - 12% tannin [, ]

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 up to 1.8% essential oil. The main components include cymene (up to 65% in some forms), 1,8-cineole, pinene, terpinene and eudesmol[].

The yellow to light reddish brown wood is close textured with a wavy to interlocked grain. The wood is very hard, strong, tough, very durable and resistant to termite attacks; with a density of 1,100 kg/m3. It is used where strength and durability are necessary including light and heavy construction, sleepers, flooring and poles. It was formerly used for wheelwright work and wagon construction. A feature of the wood is that there is no chemical interaction between the wood and metal fastenings[, , ].

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[].