Eucalyptus sp.

Eucalyptus sp.

Common name: eucalyptus, gum tree
Family: Myrtaceae
Leaf: evergreen, broad lanceolate, petiolate, alternate, waxy or glossy green, with prominent central vein. Interesting enough, leaves of seedlings/ young plants are opposite, sessile and glaucous
Flowers: have numerous, showy, fluffy stamens, in white, yellow, pink, cream or red, apetalous, blooming mid-summer to mid autumn
Fruit: woody fruits or capsules are cone-shaped
Habit: evergreen tree; Form: irregular, open, somewhat rounded, central trunk with multistemmed branching, wide crown
Bark: attractive, exfoliating
Height: 33' (smallest) to 200' (tallest)
Culture: Best planted in a sunny position in moderately fertile, well-drained soils, with good moisture rentention. It is best to plant in a protected location from cold, drying winds Dislikes clay or chalky soils but tolerant of poor soils otherwise. Drought tolerant once established. Can be coppiced down, and new vigourous growth will create a multi-stemmed shrub. Young trees need formative pruning, to ensure they grown into well-shaped, mature trees. Eucalyptus tend to be shallow rooted, so best to plant and establish in their permanent location when they are young so they do not suffer from wind rock. Susceptible to damage from cold snaps and from the weight of snow, as they are evergreen, grow fairly quickly, and their wood is brittle.
Eucalyptus gunnii, growing up to 100', is hardy in B.C. (it is hardy in USDA zones 7-10)
Uses: an evergreen tree, solo specimen in a semi-protected location (from winds), a coppiced shrub or hedge or screen. Warning: can be weedy and spread if successful- they are dangerous in a forest fire situations as they are full of oils and are therefore potentially explosive.
Origin: Australia (primarily), New Guinea, Indonesia

Eucalyptus young leaves

Eucalyptus gunnii 'Baby Blue'