Cape York red gum
Eucalyptus brassiana

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

Eucalyptus brassiana is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 18 m (59ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 20

Where it is found

The natural habitat of the species is tropical and humid to subhumid. The tree can withstand temperatures of at least 32 degrees centigrade, and grows up to 650 m above sea level. It can tolerate a dry season of 3 to 5 months; minimum annual rainfall is 1,000 mm. Infertile soils are not considered a problem for the species. It grows on rocky slopes, inundated flats and depressions.

Australia, New Guinea.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Papua New Guinea; Australia

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 4

The wood is normally too valuable to be used as firewood. However, because it grows so quickly it could be used fuel as well as timber. It has a specific gravity of 0 40-0.80. Under plantation conditions common yields are 2040 m3 per ha per year. The wood is also good for heavy construction, furniture, and flooring. The roundwood is used for building poles and posts. Carbon Farming Solutions - Industrial Crop: biomass (Crops grown for non-food uses. Industrial crops provide resources in three main categories: materials, chemicals, and energy. Traditional materials include lumber and thatch, paper and cardboard, and textiles). Eucalypts are top global timber and pulpwood crops - a few can be coppiced including Eucalyptus brassiana.. Other Systems: SRC.

Industrial Crop: Biomass: Three broad categories: bamboos, resprouting woody plants, and giant grasses. uses include: protein, materials (paper, building materials, fibers, biochar etc.), chemicals (biobased chemicals), energy - biofuels

Management: Coppice: Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Minor Global Crop: These crops are already grown or traded around the world, but on a smaller scale than the global perennial staple and industrial crops, The annual value of a minor global crop is under $1 billion US. Examples include shea, carob, Brazil nuts and fibers such as ramie and sisal.

Other Systems: SRC: Short-rotation coppice.

Industrial Crop: Biomass: Three broad categories: bamboos, resprouting woody plants, and giant grasses. uses include: protein, materials (paper, building materials, fibers, biochar etc.), chemicals (biobased chemicals), energy - biofuels

Management: Coppice: Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Minor Global Crop: These crops are already grown or traded around the world, but on a smaller scale than the global perennial staple and industrial crops, The annual value of a minor global crop is under $1 billion US. Examples include shea, carob, Brazil nuts and fibers such as ramie and sisal.

Other Systems: SRC: Short-rotation coppice.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

How it is grown

Climate: tropical. Humidity: humid. A hardy, fast growing tree adapted to the lowland tropics. The natural habitat of the species is tropical and humid to subhumid. It grows from 7 to 15 m high on infertile soils, and to more than 30 m high on fertile soils. Approximately half the trunk grows fairly strait. The other half is usually twisted and contorted, and splits into several branches. The tree can withstand temperatures of at least 32 degrees centigrade, and grows up to 650m above sea level. It can tolerate a dry season of 3 to 5 months; minimum annual rainfall is 1,000 mm. Infertile soils are not considered a problem for the species. It grows on rocky slopes, inundated flats and depressions. The trees prefers deep, moderately fertile, sandy loams. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: minor global crop. Management: standard, coppice (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation).

Propagating it: Seeds are first planted in a nursery, then transplanted after 6-10 weeks. For rapid growth the area must be free of weeds.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 9-11

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Local Common Names: Australia: Cape York red gum; gum-topped peppermint. Brazil: eucalipto. Papua New Guinea: karo. Trade name: brassiana gum.

Synonyms

No synonyms are recorded for this name.