Yellow Gum, White ironbark, White Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus leucoxylon
Family: Myrtaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Red. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Early winter, Late spring, Late winter, Mid spring, Mid winter. Form: Oval, Upright or erect, Weeping.
Eucalyptus leucoxylon is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry moist or wet soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 15
Where it is found
Open woodland in areas with cool often frosty winters and hot summers.
Australia - South Australia, Victoria.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
An essential oil from the leaves is used as a food flavouring in baked goods, ice cream and sweets.
Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
An orange dye is obtained from the leaves and green seedpods. It does not require a mordant. Wood - pale, tough, strong and durable.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Specimen, Street tree. Prefers a sunny position in a moderately fertile well-drained moisture retentive circum-neutral soil. Prefers heavy clay soils but succeeds in most soils, including limestone. Tolerates poor soils, especially those low in mineral elements. Tolerates dry soils and also drought once it is established. Plants grow well in dry-summer climates. This species is not very hardy in Britain though it experiences frosts in the wild. Another report says that it can tolerate temperatures down to about -8°c. It might be worthwhile trying it outdoors in the mildest areas of the country. Eucalyptus species have not adopted a deciduous habit and continue to grow until it is too cold for them to do so. This makes them more susceptible to damage from sudden cold snaps. If temperature fluctuations are more gradual, as in a woodland for example, the plants have the opportunity to stop growing and become dormant, thus making them more cold resistant. A deep mulch around the roots to prevent the soil from freezing also helps the trees to survive cold conditions. The members of this genus are remarkably adaptable however, there can be a dramatic increase in the hardiness of subsequent generations from the seed of survivors growing in temperate zones. Eucalyptus monocultures are an environmental disaster, they are voracious, allelopathic and encourage the worst possible attitudes to land use and conservation. Plants are shallow-rooting and, especially in windy areas, should be planted out into their permanent positions when small to ensure that they do not suffer from wind-rock. They strongly resent root disturbance and should be container grown before planting out into their permanent position. The flowers are rich in nectar and are a good bee crop. Special Features:Fragrant foliage, Not North American native, Attractive flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - surface sow February/March in a sunny position in a greenhouse. Species that come from high altitudes appreciate 6 - 8 weeks cold stratification at 2°c. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as the second set of seed leaves has developed, if left longer than this they might not move well. Plant out into their permanent positions in early summer and give them some protection from the cold in their first winter. The seed can also be sown in June, the young trees being planted in their final positions in late spring of the following year. The seed has a long viability.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Bog Garden;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 10-11
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist, wet
Things to keep in mind
Citronellal, an essential oil found in most Eucalyptus species is reported to be mutagenic when used in isolation. In large doses, oil of eucalyptus, like so many essential oils has caused fatalities from intestinal irritation. Death is reported from ingestion of 4 - 24 ml of essential oils, but recoveries are also reported for the same amount. Symptoms include gastroenteric burning and irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, oxygen deficiency, weakness, dizziness, stupor, difficult respiration, delirium, paralysis, convulsions, and death, usually due to respiratory failure.