Scientific Name: Eucalyptus viminalis subsp. viminalis

Common Name: white gum

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Myrtaceae

Form Description: Tall tree. Leaves: Juvenile – lanceolate and dull green. Adult – lanceolate, green and glossy. Bark: Smooth, cream/white, streaked with grey.

Height (m): 10 – 90

Flowers: Umbels of 3 flowers, white. Does not always flower prolifically.

Fruit: Woody capsules with a raised disc with protruding valves

Municipality
Break O’DayBrightonBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsCircular HeadClarenceDerwent ValleyDevonportDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyHobartHuon ValleyKentishKing IslandKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsSorellSouthern MidlandsTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
Dry Eucalypt ForestRiparianWet Eucalypt Forest
Habitat Notes

Grows on moist, well-drained alluvial soils near watercourses, but also grows on drier sites at higher altitudes. Tolerates snow and some flooding. Drought tolerance depends on provenance.

Site Tolerance

Dry, Moist, Rocky, Shady

Soil Tolerance

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

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

General Notes

Provides good high-level shelter (up to 50m) and shade in mixed species windbreaks. Good for second-line planting in coastal conditions. Useful in controlling underground seepage and stabilising landslip areas. Bird attracting. Attractive to honeyeaters and habitat for the Endangered forty-spotted pardalote. Old trees develop hollows used by birds and mammals. Bee attracting. High flammability. Useful for fuel but fast burning. Timber is used for building framing, flooring, panelling, joinery and pulp for container board. Koori (mainland) use: “Manna” pellets were gathered from ground and eaten as a mild laxative. Timber used to make shields and containers for water hollowed from burls. Leaves laid on fire to smoke out fever. Bark and leaves moistened and used on sore eyes. Leaves taken internally for diarrhoea.

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 and store in paper bags until valves open to release seed. Heavy seed crop every 2-3 years.

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

10 years dry stored in refrigerator at 4°C

Seed Treatment Notes

Suitable for direct seeding. Otherwise germinates best at 27°C. 6-8 weeks to pricking out.

Germination Time

2-4 weeks