Common Name: Large-fruited Stringybark

General Information

Eucalyptus youmanii is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 20 metres tall[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood. It is a potential source of rutin for use in medicine and the food industry.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - northeastern New South Wales, southeastern Queensland.

Habitat

White acid soils, damp spots and occasionally on red basaltic soils[]. Locally frequent but restricted, in sclerophyll woodland on poor skeletal soils on rises of shale or acid volcanics, at elevations from 850 - 1,500 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus youmanii is native to the subtropical climate of eastern Australia, where it is found at elevations of 800 - 1,500 metres. Rainfall can occur all year round, with a mean annual rainfall within the range 750 - 1,250mm. There are generally around 40 - 70 frosts a year[].
Prefers a sunny position in a moderately fertile well-drained moisture retentive circum-neutral soil[]. Tolerates poor and dry soils, especially those low in mineral elements[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
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[].
Plants are shallow-rooting and, especially in windy areas, should be planted out into their permanent positions when small to ensure that they do not suffer from wind-rock[]. They strongly resent root disturbance and should be container grown before planting out into their permanent position[].

Edible Uses

Although no reports of edibility have been seen, the leaves contain between 7 and 11% rutin[, ].

Medicinal

The leaves are a useful source of the drug rutin[]. Rutin is a bioflavonoid which acts in conjunction with other substances to strengthen the immune system[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The flowers are rich in nectar and are a good bee crop[].

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 1.3% essential oil. The main components include 1,8-cineole, pinene, cymene, mycrene, phellandrene, limonene, eudesmol[].

The heartwood is brown, able to be split, and sufficiently durable for use in fencing. It is also sometimes used in
general construction[].

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[].