TreeRM

Spotted gum

Corymbia maculata 路 Myrtaceae

A tall, straight eucalypt to 45 m with a smooth trunk mottled in cream, grey, pink and blue-grey that gives it its name. It is a premier hardwood for poles, flooring and construction, flowers in winter for honey bees, and is one of the most planted large street and park trees in eastern Australian cities. Beyond its natural range it self-seeds: Victoria treats it as an environmental weed and it has naturalised in Western Australia.

Broadleaf evergreenFast growingFull sunModerate water
Spotted gum
Wikimedia Commons, file Corymbia_maculata.jpg (see file page for author and licence)

Where it stands

Native

  • 馃嚘馃嚭 NSW, Australiasource
  • 馃嚘馃嚭 VIC, Australia 路 One natural stand near Orbost; elsewhere in Victoria regarded as an environmental weed threatening lowland grassland and dry forestsource

Adapted

  • 馃嚢馃嚜 Kenya 路 Planted; exotic per ICRAFsource
  • 馃嚳馃嚘 South Africa 路 Planted; exotic per ICRAF (as Eucalyptus maculata); not on NEMBA 2020 listsource

Invasive

  • 馃嚘馃嚭 WA, Australia 路 Escaped from plantings and naturalisedsource

Care

Fast, about 2 to 2.5 m a year when young; stake and water the first summer, then leave alone. Remove lower branches early for a clean trunk. Resistant to fire once established. Powder-post beetle attacks sapwood; Ramularia leaf disease affects nursery stock. Allow plenty of root room and keep clear of buildings.

Benefits

ShadeFast canopyPollinatorsBirdsWildlifeDrought tolerantStorm resistant

Good for

Street treeparksTimberYard shade

Watch out for

Large rootsHeavy litterInvasive elsewhere