Eucalyptus species suitable for the UK

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Eucalyptus species suitable for the UK

The following Eucalyptus species are all suitable for planting in the UK but you need to make the right choice of species and plant according to best silvicultural practice. The Eucalyptus genus is very diverse and many trees thrive in high altitudes in their native Australia (e.g. Blue Mountains and Central Tasmania) so there are many that can tolerate frost, exposure and wet sites.

Eucalyptus aggregata (Black Gum)

Cold tolerant to -14°C
Fine narrow leaved -looks like UK broadleaf trees
NSW mainland only, cold areas, not shade tolerant
Related to E.ovata, Tasmanian Black swamp gum
Poorly drained upland areas, frost hollows to 800m above sea level
Creates extensive horizontal rooting structures
Used extensively as part component of shelterbelts
To 20m height
Growth 24m3/ha/yr
Plant in wettest of the planting area

Eucalyptus coccifera (Tasmanian snow gum)

Cold tolerant, frost hardy to -16°C
Naturally grows in Tasmania on mountains to 1300m asl (above sea level)
Grows on well drained, rocky dolerite soils
Cope with conditions of frost, snow and wind
Juvenile leaves round and glaucous
Successful establishment in Scotland
Straight vigorous tree
Up to 40m in height
Plant on exposed site

Eucalyptus dalrympleana (Mountain white gum)

Cold tolerant to -14°C
Well-drained upland sites to 900m above sea level
Excellent apical dominance characteristics
Potentially one of the best suited species to UK conditions
Prefers a slightly acidic soil but will tolerate most soil types
Quality timber, to 50m height
Growth 30m3/ha/yr

Eucalyptus delegatensis subsp.tasmaniensis (Gum-topped stringybark)

Part of the blue ashes group
Similar habitat to dalrympleana, often on dolerite
400-900m asl provenance plateau range
Establishes well within a sheltered forest microclimate
Cold tolerance to -10°C
More fertile well drained sites, large juvenile leaves, plant on most protected sites generally sheltered by other forest trees within natural habitat
Requires tree guards to maintain stability over initial establishment period
To 90m height, substantial high timber quality
Growth 38m3/ha/yr

Eucalyptus denticulata (Errinundra shining gum)

As nitens, narrow juvenile leaves, higher 600m asl provenance
Cold tolerance to -12°C, establishes quicker than nitens
Req. well drained sites, large juvenile leaves
Req. tree guards to maintain stability over initial establishment period
To 70m height
Growth 38m3/ha/yr

E. glaucescens (Tingiringi gum)

Cold tolerant to around -18°C
To 1400m asl
adaptability to sites
series of control provenances
range 20 to 40m height
Growth 26m3/ha/yr
Plant through majority of area some drainage required
Will thrive throughout most sites in UK

Eucalyptus globulus ssp.bicostata (Southern blue gum)

Excellent for shade and shelter
Range 50-800m asl, saline tolerant
Establishes well within a sheltered forest microclimate
Cold tolerance to -8°C
Competitive for near-surface soil moisture
Thrives on well drained clay-loam sites
large juvenile sessile leaves, dull, greyish and waxy
plant on most protected sites generally sheltered by other forest trees within natural habitat
Req. tree guards to maintain stability over initial establishment period
To 90m height, substantial high timber quality
Dense timber 900kg/m3, suitable for general construction/biomass
Growth 40m3/ha/yr
Very rapid growth, on the right climatically protected site, of 50m3/ha/yr in UK

Eucalyptus gunnii (Cider gum)

Cold tolerant, very frost hardy to -18°C
Naturally grows in poorly drained, basalt type soils
Copes with conditions of frost, snow, wind, and heavy mist
Successful establishment in UK Up to 25m in height
Plant in most exposed site
Tolerant of saline and salt spray conditions
Juvenile leaves round and glaucous, suitable for foliage
Coppices well up to the age of 15

Eucalyptus johnstonii (Tasmanian Yellow Gum)

Related to E.subcrenulata, Tasmanian Alpine Yellow Gum (subalpine spp.)
Plant in wettest of the planting area Recommended use in mild coastal areas
Cold tolerant to around -12°C
Range 500 to 800m asl
Tall forest tree in sheltered valleys Good apical dominance characteristics
Juvenile leaves are egg-shaped to almost round
Tolerant of waterlogged thin peaty soil conditions
Grows best on deep clay loams in valleys and sheltered sites.
Less tolerant than other Eucalypts of sustained drought conditions Can be damaged by prolonged dry periods
Rapid early growth
Height range 20 to 50m height
Growth 26m3/ha/yr

Eucalyptus nitens (Shining gum)

Cold tolerant to around -10°C
Requires well drained sites, large juvenile leaves
Requires tree guards to maintain stability over initial establishment period
To 70m height in natural environment
Best short rotation cold tolerant species
Growth 40m3/ha/yr

Eucalyptus parvula (Small leaved gum)

Cold tolerant, very frost hardy to -18°C
Naturally grows in poorly drained, waterlogged soils
Cope with conditions of frost, snow, wind and heavy mist
Successful establishment in Scotland
Up to 15m in height
Plant in most exposed site
Shelterbelt potential mixed with other species to encourage an improved microclimate

Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. debeuzevillei (Jounama snow gum)/E.parvula

Cold tolerant, very frost hardy to -18°C
Naturally grows in well drained on sandy, rocky soils
Cope with conditions of frost, snow, wind, and heavy mist Tolerant of saline and salt spray conditions
Successful establishment in Scotland
Juvenile foliage utilised extensively in the foliage industry
Up to 15m in height
Plant in most exposed site
Shelterbelt potential mixed with other species to encourage an improved microclimate

Eucalyptus regnans (giant mountain ash)

Part of the ashes group
Range 200-500m asl
Establishes well within a sheltered forest microclimate
Cold tolerance to -10°C
Thrives on fertile well drained sites
Large juvenile glossy green leaves
Plant on most protected sites; generally sheltered by other forest trees within natural habitat
Req. tree guards to maintain stability over initial establishment period
To 90m height, substantial high timber quality, marketed as Tasmanian Oak
Growth 38m3/ha/yr