Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. 1832

Common name(s): River Red Gum

Family: Myrtaceae

Plant

Taken by Unknown Photographer

Bark (Lower)

Taken by Ken Harrington on 6th November, 2024 at Mt Barker, South Australia

Bark (Upper)

Taken by Ken Harrington

Leaves

Taken by Ken Harrington

Flower Bud

Taken by Ken Harrington

Fruit

Taken by Ken Harrington on 7th June, 2019 at Burra, South Australia

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Plant Properties

Origin(s)

Australia

NSW: NF, NP, NS, NT, SF, SP, CS, CT, CC, SS, ST, LH, CAN
NT: DG, VR, BT, CN, CS
QLD: BU, KN, GN, MI, KS, LE, GS, WA, MA, BN, DD
SA: NW, LE, FR, EA, EP, NL, SL, MU, YP, KI, SE
TAS: BL, EC
VIC: MM, LM, WI, WA, GR, RI, MI, VP, EH, GP
WA: GA, FI, DM, HA, FO, CV, AS, KE, GI, AU, IR, DA

Plant Type

Evergreen Tree

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Arid, Temperate Cool, Temperate Warm, Mediterranean, Tropical-Sub, Tropical

Arid,

Temperate Cool,

Temperate Warm,

Mediterranean,

Tropical-Sub,

Tropical

Aspect Range(s)

Sun - Full

Habitat Range(s)

Arid, Desert Vegetation, Grasslands, Forest - Grassy, Heath, Lakes / Dams / Swamps, Mallee Vegetation, Open Woodlands, Rainforest - Temperate, Rivers / Creeks / Streams, Sclerophyll Forest - Dry

Arid,

Desert Vegetation,

Grasslands,

Forest - Grassy,

Heath,

Lakes / Dams / Swamps,

Mallee Vegetation,

Open Woodlands,

Rainforest - Temperate,

Rivers / Creeks / Streams,

Sclerophyll Forest - Dry

Habitat Zone(s)

Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's, Heavy soils, Moist areas, Moist Slopes, Plains, Scattered, Wet Pockets

Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's,

Heavy soils,

Moist areas,

Moist Slopes,

Plains,

Scattered,

Wet Pockets

Mature Width

25-30m

Plant Shape

Domed - Broad

Growth Rate

Very Slow

Maturity

45-50 yrs

Life Span

100-150yrs, 150-200yrs

100-150yrs,

150-200yrs

Leaf Properties

Colour (front)

Dull, Green, Grey-green

Dull,

Green,

Grey-green

Colour (back)

Dull, Green, Grey-green

Dull,

Green,

Grey-green

Shape(s)

Falcate

Lanceolate

Falcate,

Lanceolate

Aroma

Spicy-Slight

Texture (front)

Smooth

Texture (back)

Smooth

Leaf Length(s)

250-275mm

Leaf Width(s)

25-30mm

Margin

Entire

Cross Section(s)

Flat

Venation(s)

Reticulate

Arrangement

Alternate & Spiralled

Apice(s)

Acute Narrowly

Base(s)

Cuneate

Obtuse

Cuneate,

Obtuse

Attachment

Petiolate

Bark / Stem / Culm Properties

Colour(s) Upper

Grey , Grey-brown , White

Grey,

Grey-brown,

White

Texture(s) Upper

Smooth

Trunk / Stem Construction(s)

Wood Fibres / Solid

Wood - Hard

Trunk / Stem / Culm Cross Section

Terete

Trunk Timber Colour(s)

Red Dark, Red-brown

Red Dark,

Red-brown

Trunk / Stem / Culm Diameter

3.5-4m

Flower Properties

Gender: Bisexual

Time(s)

Spring Mid - Summer

Flower Colour(s)

Cream, White

Cream,

White

Flower Shape(s)

Filamental Cyathiform

Flower Size(s) Width

10-15mm

Aroma(s)

Sweet-slight

Attachment

Pedicelate

Pedicel Size (flower stem)

2-3mm, 3-4mm, 4-5mm, 5-6mm, 6-7mm, 7-8mm, 8-9mm, 9-10mm

2-3mm,

3-4mm,

4-5mm,

5-6mm,

6-7mm,

7-8mm,

8-9mm,

9-10mm

Arrangement(s)

Umbel

Axillary

Flowers per Arrangement

7-8, 8-9, 9-10

7-8,

8-9,

9-10

Pollinator(s)

Bees, Insects, Birds

Bees,

Insects,

Birds

Bud / Operculum Shape

Operculum - Beaked

Fruit Properties

Type

Capsule - Pyxidium

Shape(s)

Spherical

Outer Colour(s)

Grey-brown

Outer Texture

Rough / Scabrous

Smooth

Rough / Scabrous,

Smooth

Length

2-3mm, 3-4mm, 4-5mm

2-3mm,

3-4mm,

4-5mm

Width

4-5mm, 5-6mm, 6-7mm, 7-8mm, 9-10mm

4-5mm,

5-6mm,

6-7mm,

7-8mm,

9-10mm

Aroma

None

Season of Fruiting

Summer Late

Fruit Ripening

2 mths., 3 mths.

2 mths.,

3 mths.

Maturation for Fruiting

3 yrs., 4 yrs.

3 yrs.,

4 yrs.

Seed Properties

Type

Dust-like

Colour(s)

Yellow

Shape(s)

Square

Texture(s)

Smooth

Seed Length

0.5-1mm

Seed Number

Many

Root Properties

Type

Plate

Texture

Rough / Scabrous

Woody

Colour(s)

Brown Dark

Soil Properties

Type(s)

Clay, Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand, Stony

Clay,

Clay-loam,

Loam,

Sandy-loam,

Sand,

Stony

pH Range(s)

Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline, Alkaline

Acid,

Slightly Acid,

Neutral,

Slightly Alkaline,

Alkaline

Condition(s)

Water logged

Wet

Moist

Water logged,

Wet,

Moist

Fertile , Poor , Deep , Shallow , Well Drained

Fertile,

Poor,

Deep,

Shallow,

Well Drained

Salinities

Slight

Other Properties / Uses

Bee Attraction

Very Good

Bird Attraction

Nectar, Insect, Nesting, Habitat

Nectar,

Insect,

Nesting,

Habitat

Butterfly Attraction

Poor

Frog Habitat

None

Carbon Sequestration Potential

High

Wood Density

Medium High 600 - 800 kg/c.m.

Coastal

None

Edible(s)

None

Fire Regeneration(s)

Seed

Fire Retarding

None

Drought Tolerance

Good

Frost Tolerance

Good

Snow Tolerance

Light

Smog Tolerant

Good

Indigenous Use(s)

Bark, Wood

Bark,

Wood

Landscape Use

Good

Street Use

Poor

Commercial Use(s)

Honey, Timber - Carpentry, building, Timber - Firewood

Honey,

Timber - Carpentry, building,

Timber - Firewood

Maintenance(s)

Pruning - Periodical

Pests/Diseases

Borers, Cicadas, Eucalypt Sawfly, Gum Tree Moth, Lerps, Phytophthora cinnamomi, Scale

Borers,

Cicadas,

Eucalypt Sawfly,

Gum Tree Moth,

Lerps,

Phytophthora cinnamomi,

Scale

Special Purpose(s)

Cabinet making, Carpentry, Drain Clogger, Firewood, Koala Food Trees, Phytophthora Susceptible, Specimen, Temporary Inundation, Windbreak

Cabinet making,

Carpentry,

Drain Clogger,

Firewood,

Koala Food Trees,

Phytophthora Susceptible,

Specimen,

Temporary Inundation,

Windbreak

Dormancy

Summer

Humidity Requirements

Low, Medium, High

Low,

Medium,

High

Vulnerability

NT - Near Threatened

Propagation

Fresh Seed

General Notes

Eucalyptus subgenus Symphomyrtus

An iconic, majestic tree of Australia, the most widely spread Eucalpyt usually found along water courses throughout Australia, providing habitat for numerous species of wildlife, a favoured tree for bees and honey and a good timber source. Under stress it is prone to dropping limbs, without warning, so camping under them can be dangerous.

Timber is resistant to termites and used for heavy construction, railway sleepers, flooring, framings, fencing, turnery, panelling and sills as well as firewood.

Even mature trees are susceptible to intense fires as it does not form a ligno-tuber to regenerate from.

Flower buds are in groupings of seven to nine or sometimes as many as eleven.

Euc. camaldulensis has 7 sub species

E. camaldulensis ssp. camaldulensis, E. camaldulensis ssp. acuta, E. camaldulensis ssp. arida, E. camaldulensis ssp. minima, E. camaldulensis ssp. obtusa, E. camadulensis ssp. refulgens, E. camadulensis ssp. simulata

Aborigines used the bark of the tree to make canoes, timber for weapons, shields and utensils.

Propagation Notes

Fresh Seed

Flowering

Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb

Seed Collecting

Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Sowing

Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Material Preparation

Collect seed when the capsule turns brown. E. camaldulensis is one of the few to release seed when ripe, so monitor the seed for ripeness. Place in a paper bag and allow to dry fully in a warm, dry place for 1-2 weeks and the seed will fall out of the capsule. Clean or leave with the frass. Store in a cool dark place before sowing. Seeds are non-dormant.

Viability:- 1- 5 years (95%)

Seeds gram:- 3,040

Propagating Mix

Premium Seed Raising Mix

Treatment

Sow seed on the surface, cover lightly with fine gravel, water in, keep moist, place outside. Optimal temperature for germination is 20-25^o C

Viable seeds/gram:- 2,800

Germination time:- 7 - 40 days

Pricking out:- 5 – 8 weeks into tubes after germination

Tube Mix:- Premium Seed Raising Mix

Notes

For direct seeding, sow from mid-winter in low rainfall areas and late winter to early spring in higher rainfall areas.

Seedlings/gram:- Adelaide Hills Form - 140, Lake Albacutya Form - 640, Mount Wedge Form - 430, Silverton Form - 936