TreeRM

Lemon-scented gum

Corymbia citriodora 路 Myrtaceae 路 also Spotted gum

A slender, elegant eucalypt to 50 m with powdery white to coppery bark and narrow leaves that smell strongly of lemon when crushed (the source of citronellal oil). Very popular in parks, avenues and large gardens in Australia and overseas, and planted for timber and honey in Africa and Asia. It has spread from plantings and become a serious weed in Kings Park in Perth and has naturalised around Sydney and in Victoria.

Broadleaf evergreenFast growingFull sunLow water
Lemon-scented gum
Wikimedia Commons, file Corymbia_citriodora.jpg (see file page for author and licence)

Where it stands

Native

  • 馃嚘馃嚭 NSW, Australia 路 Natural range north of Coffs Harbour; naturalised from plantings in suburban Sydneysource
  • 馃嚘馃嚭 QLD, Australiasource

Adapted

  • 馃嚙馃嚪 Brazil 路 Planted; exotic per ICRAFsource
  • 馃嚠馃嚦 India 路 Planted; exotic per ICRAFsource
  • 馃嚢馃嚜 Kenya 路 Planted; exotic per ICRAFsource

Invasive

  • 馃嚘馃嚭 VIC, Australia 路 Naturalised near Puckapunyal from plantingssource
  • 馃嚘馃嚭 WA, Australia 路 Naturalised in the Darling Range near Mundaring and a serious weed in Kings Park, Perthsource

Care

Rapid once established; weed a 1 m strip around young trees for two years and water in the first dry season. Prune early to a single leader. Termites attack young trees; it resists Gonipterus beetle. Keep away from buildings because of size, shed bark and branch drop.

Benefits

ShadeFast canopyPollinatorsDrought tolerantBirds

Good for

parksStreet treeTimberYard shade

Watch out for

Heavy litterWeak woodInvasive elsewhere