Sydney blue gum
Sydney blue gum (Eucalyptus saligna) is a fast-growing Eucalyptus preferring 900 mm or more of rainfall annually and clay loam to sandy loam soils. Has been trialled within Gippsland and is generally regarded as inferior to the closely related southern mahogany.
Table 1: General characteristics for Sydney blue gum
Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
Botanical name | Eucalyptus saligna |
Growth rate in preferred conditions | Fast |
Estimated rotation length (yr) in preferred conditions to produce 60 cm diameter at breast height | 25–30 |
Preferred annual rainfall (mm/yr) | 900+ |
Minimum rainfall (mm/yr) | 750 |
Preferred elevation (m) ASL | 0–300 |
Preferred landscape position | Sheltered sites with deep soils |
Preferred soil | Clay loam to sandy loam soils |
Prohibitive soil | Duplex, heavy clay subsoil and those with poor drainage |
Poor drainage tolerance | Low |
Dry site tolerance | Moderate |
Frost tolerance | Low to moderate |
Pest and disease problems: trees planted on unsuitable sites are more prone to insect and disease issues | Leaf blister sawfly, lerps, longicorn beetle, corky leaf spot |
Table 2: Timber characteristics for Sydney blue gum
Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
Strength: seasoned timber only | SD3: moderate/high |
Durability: in ground | above ground | 3 | 2 |
Drying: green to 12% moisture content | Dries readily but care needed to minimise checking and end splitting. Collapse is slight. Shrinkage about 5% radial and 9% tangential. |
Main commercial products | Panelling, furniture, joinery, veneers, sleepers, general construction, cladding, flooring, boat building and fencing |
Bushfire resistance: measured by bushfire attack level (BAL) | BAL 12.5 and 19 – all AS3959 required applications |
Least attractive features | Can suffer from severe growth stresses causing end splitting during harvesting. |
Most attractive features | Good form, pink/red timber, responds well to irrigation. |
Status as a plantation species in Gippsland | Has been trialled locally and is generally regarded as inferior to the closely related southern mahogany. |
Note: Timber characteristics and durability are based on Australian Standard: Timber Natural durability ratings (AS 5604–2005). Refer to the Appendix for an explanatory table. Where (?) applied, rating is based on field experience.
Note: Bushfire resistance measurement is based on naturally bushfire resisting timbers, which are those with inherent bushfire-resisting properties. For more information refer to Australian Standard 3959:2018.
Assumptions and notes
- Sites considered for planting contain at least one 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.
References
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Boland DJ et. al (1992). Forest trees of Australia. CSIRO Australia.
Bootle KR (1983). Wood in Australia – Types, properties and uses. McGraw Hill, Australia
Carnegie AJ (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.
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 ID, Gifford HH and Kimberely MO (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 JL (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 CJ (2002). Plantation eucalypt species for solid wood products – a profile of Eucalyptus muelleriana. Gottstein Fellowship Report for the Gottstein Memorial Trust
Tepper CJ (2008). Site Matching and Establishing Eucalypt Sawlog Species in Southern Australia. In Beadle CL and Brown AG (eds) 2008. Plantation eucalypts for high value timber. RIRDC Publication No. 08/113, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.