Rose gum
A fast-growing Eucalyptus preferring 1000 mm+ of rainfall annually and moist well drained deep (>2m) soils. Responds well to irrigation. Attractive tree with good form that can grow rapidly. Attractive red timber with sapwood resistant to Lyctid borer.
Rose gum |
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Botanical name |
Eucalyptus grandis |
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Growth rate in preferred conditions |
Fast |
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Estimated rotation length (yr) in preferred conditions to produce 60 cm diameter at breast height |
25-30 |
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Preferred annual rainfall (mm/yr) |
1000+ |
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Minimum rainfall (mm/yr) |
900 |
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Preferred elevation (m) asl |
0-200 |
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Preferred landscape position |
Alluvial flat or lower slope |
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Preferred Soil |
Moist, well drained, deep (>2 m) soils |
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Prohibitive soil |
Poorly drained and/or duplex soils |
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Poor drainage tolerance |
Low |
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Dry site tolerance |
Low |
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Frost tolerance |
Low to moderate |
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Pest and disease problems: |
Lerp psyllids, Leaf blister sawfly, Christmas beetle, Chrysomelids, Eucalypt leaf beetle, Cerambycid/longicorn beetles, Cossid Moths |
Timber Characteristics1 |
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Strength: seasoned timber only |
SD4-moderate |
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Durability1: in ground | above ground |
3 | 2 |
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Drying: green to 12% moisture content |
Easy to dry. Tendency to surface check. Shrinkage about 4% radial and 7% tangential. |
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Main commercial products |
Versatile timber. Veneer, panelling, joinery, fine furniture, outdoor furniture, turnery, general construction and boat building. |
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Bushfire resistance2: measured by Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) |
BAL 12.5 and 19 – All AS3959 required applications |
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Least attractive features |
Intolerant of any but the best conditions. Susceptible to many insect predators. |
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Most attractive features |
Responds well to irrigation. Attractive tree with good form that can grow rapidly. Attractive red timber with sapwood resistant to Lyctid borer. |
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Status as a plantation species in Gippsland |
Minor. Superior options available in most cases. |
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1 Based on Australian Standard: Timber Natural durability ratings. AS 5604-2005. Refer to Appendix for explanatory table. Where (?) applied, rating is based on field experience. 2 Naturally bushfire resisting timbers are those with inherent bushfire resisting properties. For more information refer to Australian Standard 3959:2018. |
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Assumptions and notes:
- Sites considered for planting contain at least 1 metre of soil above an impeding layer (e.g. bedrock or layer impenetrable to roots.)
- Please note that most (if not all) eucalypts in Gippsland grow best on sheltered sites.
- Overall slow drying time across air and kiln dried schedules is recommended to minimise drying degrade. This is the best starting point for inexperienced operators.
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Boland, D.J. et. al (1992). Forest Trees of Australia. CSIRO Australia.
Bootle, K.R. (1983). Wood in Australia – Types, properties and uses. McGraw Hill, Australia
Carnegie, A.J. (2002). Field Guide to Common Pests and Diseases in Eucalypt Plantations in NSW. Research and Development Division of State Forests, NSW.
Clarke, B., McLeod, I. and Vercoe, T (eds) 2009. Trees for farm forestry: 22 Promising Species. RIRDC Publication No. 09/015. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.
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https://www.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/511553/Silverwattle.pdf
Mortimer, J. (2003). A selection of alternative timbers. Taitua Books, NZ.
National Association of Forest Industries (2004). Timber Species and Properties (Revised edition). Timber Manual Datafile P1
Nicholas, I.D., Gifford, H.H., and Kimberely, M.O. (1997). Siting Black Walnut. FRI Bulletin no. 188
Phillips, C. (1996). Insects, Diseases and Deficiencies associated with Eucalypts in South Australia. Primary Industries SA Forests.
Poole, B., Waugh, G. and Yang, J.L. (2017). Potential for growing and processing durable eucalypts in New Zealand. Publication No. SWP-T036. Solid Wood Innovation. Specialty Wood Products Research Partnership.
Reid, R. (2017). Heartwood. The art and science of growing trees for conservation and profit. Melbourne Books.
Tepper, C. J. (2002). Plantation Eucalypt species for solid wood products – a profile of Eucalyptus muelleriana. Gottstein Fellowship Report for the Gottstein Memorial Trust
Tepper, C.J. (2008). Site Matching and Establishing Eucalypt Sawlog Species in Southern Australia In. Beadle, C.L. and Brown, A.G. (eds) 2008. Plantation Eucalypts for High Value Timber. RIRDC Publication No. 08/113, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.