Common Name: Grey Box

General Information

Eucalyptus woollsiana is an evergreen tree with a rounded crown; it can grow up to 25 metres tall. The bole is straight[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - New South Wales, southern Queensland

Habitat

Locally frequent, in sclerophyll woodland on sandy or light loamy soils[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus woollsiana is native to the warm temperate and subtropical climate of eastern Australia, where it is found at elevations from 80 - 400 metres. Rainfall can occur all year round, in the summer only, or in the winter only, with a mean annual rainfall within the range 500 - 625mm and a severe dry season of up to 7 months. The mean maximum temperature of the hottest month is 29 - 35°c; mean minimum temperature of the coldest month is 4 - 5°c, and there are generally around 5 - 20 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[].
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[].
The tree has limited prospects for planting because the properties of this type of wood are not in strong demand and fuelwood can be better supplied by other species. In addition, it has a slower growth rate than other available eucalypts[].
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 a good source of nectar for bees[].

Other Uses

The light-brown wood is heavy, hard, tough, very durable with a grain that is usually interlocked. It is mainly used in round or hewn for fencing and railway sleepers[].
The wood is an excellent fuel[].

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[].