Tree 14

Eucalyptus viminalis

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Quick Facts

Genus: Eucalyptus

Species: viminalis

Common Names: Manna Gum

Mature Size: 20-55 metres and above
Height: 10.3 metres
Width: 8 metres
Diameter at Breast Height (DBH): 73cm

Age of Tree: Semi-mature, this tree is just beginning to grow to medium proportions; it will more than double its present size.

Place of Origin: Throughout eastern Australia, including Tasmania & S.A.

Plant Habit: Short rounded tree in coastal conditions; tall broad spreading tree in good soil with high summer rainfall.

Growth Habit: Fast growth in most conditions, slowing as it matures.

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Story

First nations people utilized the ‘lerps’ on the leaves of this tree to flavour water; giving a sugar flavour. It was seen as ‘manna’ from heaven by early settlers, giving it its common name.

Tallest know trees of this species are ‘The White Knights’ in north eastern Tasmania, at 91 metres. One tree recently lost a significant section of its upper canopy in a storm.

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Horticultural Information

Preferred Conditions: Prefers moist well drained, nutrient rich soils with good summer rain.

Tolerances to partially protected coastal conditions, can tolerate short periods of wetness and periods of drought.

Prone to Phytophthora (Die-back) when exposed to prolonged periods of waterlogging.

Useful Life Expectancy (ULE): Long, 2 trees in Tasmania (White Knights) known to be more than 400 years in age and over 90m tall.

Significance: One of the most widely distributed of Eucalyptus trees; It can grow to reach very large sizes and is appropriate for a large parkland.

Flowering Characteristics: At almost any time of year, buds in three’s, in cross formation. Flower colour is white once operculum has been shed; attractive birds and insects to pollinate it.

Features: Foliage long lanceolate leaves 10-22cm long and narrow, concolourous, dark green in colour; pendulous.

Points of Interest: Koala food tree, one of less than 25 known trees.

Additional Notes

It will decay when excessively pruned or lopped; it mostly tries to outgrow fungal decay. The wood is pale in colour with creams and slight pink colouration in the heartwood. This tree will interbreed with other species of Eucalyptus trees, including Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gum) and Eucalyptus saligna. The wood is often used as firewood, building and even flooring in times past. It has not been trialed in plantations; and so not now commonly used.

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