140 / 476
GENERAL
Origin
:
Mediterranean,
sub-tropical,
tropical
Humidity
:
semi-arid, semi-
humid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out
Maintenance :
high
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
resistant
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
low
Salinity/ppm :
moderate (1800
ppm)
Hardiness
:
-6°C
SHAPE
Type
:
tree
Height
:
10 m-40 m
Spread
:
6 m-12 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
white
Period
:
July - September
Smell
:
aroma, leaf, spicy
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
capsule
Fruit size
:
2 cm
Toxicity
:
inedible
Eucalyptus gomphocephala is a tall, wide-girthed, evergreen tree with its origins on the sou-
thwestern coast of Australia, where it reaches heights from 10 to 40 metres depending on loca-
tion, growing on hilly terrain on limestone overlain by sand. Known there as Tuart, it has been
cultivated in many arid countries. It has a dense crown with large spreading, nearly upright
branches. The fibrous, fissured bark is light grey, and does not shed like other gum trees. Leaves
are narrowly lanceolate, up to 17 cm long and slightly curved, with a shiny grey-green colour.
This species has white flowers in summer and autumn, and the seed capsules remain on trees for a
year or more. E. gomphocephala tolerates drought, strong winds and alkaline, moderately saline
soils. It will grow on less fertile soils than E. camaldulensis, but is not tolerant of waterlogging.
Hardy only to –6°C, it produces very dense, durable wood, which is termite-resistant and used for
construction purposes. It is also an excellent honey producer. It is easily propagated from seed.
Extremely useful as a windbreak and in a shelterbelt, although sensitive to fire, it has high wild-
life value. It has been widely planted as a shade-giving tree and roadside tree, but as with other
large Eucalyptus trees it is not recommended for this in Arriyadh. It is susceptible to the eucalypt
borer and some fungi, especially on dry sites. Its roots will compete with adjacent plants and will
invade water pipes and tanks, as well as lifting pavements.
139
Eucalyptus gomphocephala,
Myrtaceae
Gum,
Tuart