Scientific Name: Eucalyptus globulus subsp. globulus

Common Name: tasmanian blue gum

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Myrtaceae

Form Description: Small to tall tree. Leaves: Juvenile – oblong with stem-clasping, heart-shaped base, glaucous blue with red margin. Adult-sickle-shaped (falcate), long (around 30cm) green and glossy. Concolorous. Bark: Rough at the base, but peeling in red-brown ribbons to reveal a smooth copper/grey trunk.

Height (m): 10 – 80

Flowers: Large, usually solitary. Rarely 3 flowered on the West Coast. Usually white; very rarely pale pink Tasman Peninsula.

Fruit: Woody capsules – large, greater than 15mm, rough and warty with four ribs.

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieCircular HeadClarenceDerwent ValleyDevonportGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyHobartHuon ValleyLauncestonSorellSouthern MidlandsWaratah-WynyardWest Coast
Plant Communities
Dry Eucalypt ForestWet Eucalypt Forest
Habitat Notes

Reaches its maximum development in well-drained soil in sheltered valleys.

Site Tolerance

Dry, Moist, Rocky

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Sandy, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

General Notes

Frost hardiness depends on provenance. Even seedlings from cold areas will be frost susceptible when young. Useful for control of erosion and to provide soil stabilization. Provides dense shade. Bee attracting. Bird attracting. Important source of food for the swift parrot, but the large size and its limb shedding vice makes it unsuitable for gardens, parks or school ground; larger properties only. High flammability. Timber is valuable for wharf and bridge construction, for piles and for telegraph poles.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Collect capsules in paper bags and store until valves open to release seed. Separate seed by sieving.

Seed Treatment Method

Standard Scatter seed thinly on to damp potting mix. Hold seed in place by covering with more potting mix to approximately the depth of the seed size.

Seed Storage Life

More than 10 years dry stored in refrigerator at 3-5°C

Seed Treatment Notes

Suitable for direct seeding.

Germination Time

2-4 weeks

Cutting & Division Information

Impracticable