Tuart. Tuart Gum
Eucalyptus gomphocephala

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

One of the six forest giants of the south Western Australia including: Corymbia calophylla (Marri), Eucalyptus diversicolor (Karri), Eucaltptus jacksonii (Red Tingle), Eucalyptus marinata (Jarrah), Eucalyptus patens (Yarri). A durable hardwood for scantlings, structural timber, the construction of railway carriages, boat building, and furniture manufacture. Due to over-logging the Tuart is a protected tree with conditions placed on felling. A good carbon farming plant as an industrial biomass crop.

Eucalyptus gomphocephala is an evergreen Tree growing to 40 m (131ft) by 25 m (82ft) 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 and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 40

Where it is found

It grows naturally on the coastal plains of Western Australia. Coastal plains from Jurien Bay north of Perth to Ludlow in the south; on coastal sands that are not highly calcareous but may have limestone at depth.

Native to the southwest of Western Australia

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 4

A durable hardwood for scantlings, structural timber, the construction of railway carriages, and boat building. Also furniture making. The green wood has a density of 1,250 kilograms per cubic metre (78 lb/cu ft) and an air-dried density of 1,030 kilograms per cubic metre (64 lb/cu ft). Flowers good for honey. 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). 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.

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.

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: Mediterranean, subtropical to tropical, tropical highlands. Humidity: humid. Prefers sandy well drained soils, often over limestone, in sunny positions. Moderately tolerant of saline soil and salt-laden winds. Drought and frost tolerant. Individual trees may live over four hundred years. 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

Tuart. Tuart Gum

Synonyms

Eucalyptus gomphocephala var. rhodoxylon Blakely & H.Steedman