Victorian blue gum
Victorian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus subsp. bicostata) is a fast-growing Eucalyptus preferring 900 mm or more of rainfall annually and clay-based soils. It is a good pulp species and may be an option on sites that are too dry for Tasmanian blue gum.
Table 1: General characteristics for Victorian blue gum
Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
Botanical name | Eucalyptus globulus subsp.bicostata |
Growth rate in preferred conditions | Fast |
Estimated rotation length (yr) in preferred conditions to produce 60 cm diameter at breast height | 20–30 |
Preferred annual rainfall (mm/yr) | 900+ |
Minimum rainfall (mm/yr) | 750+ |
Preferred elevation (m) ASL | 0–500 |
Preferred landscape position | Mid-lower slopes and flats. |
Preferred Soil | Clay-based soil |
Prohibitive soil | Uniform sands |
Poor drainage tolerance | Moderate |
Dry site tolerance | Moderate |
Frost tolerance | Moderate to high |
Pest and disease problems: trees planted on unsuitable sites are more prone to insect and disease issues | Sawfly larvae, autumn gum moth, lerps, tip feeders, Christmas beetles |
Table 2: Timber characteristics for Victorian blue gum
Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
Strength: seasoned timber only | SD2: high |
Durability: in ground | above ground | 3 | 2 |
Drying: green to 12% moisture content | Difficult to dry. High shrinkage. Reconditioning required. Shrinkage about 6% radial and 12% tangential. |
Main commercial products | Pulp, light and heavy construction, internal flooring, posts and poles, sleepers, tool handles, joinery |
Bushfire resistance: measured by bushfire attack level (BAL) | BAL 12.5 and 19 – all AS3959 required applications |
Least attractive features | Log end splitting and difficult to dry. Susceptibility of juvenile foliage to pests. Sapwood susceptible to lyctid borer. |
Most attractive features | Good pulp species. May be an option on sites that are too dry for Tasmanian blue gum. |
Status as a plantation species in Gippsland | Not recognised as a plantation species in Gippsland. |
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
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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.