Flooded Gum

Native to eastern Australia, from the coastal lowlands to the hinterland ranges.

• Distributed from near Newcastle in New South Wales north through Queensland to the Atherton Tablelands
• Also found in small populations in the Northern Territory and Western Australia
• Most abundant in the wet coastal lowlands and foothills of northern New South Wales and southeastern Queensland
• Found at elevations from sea level to approximately 800 meters
• The species name "grandis" means "large" or "grand" in Latin, referring to its towering stature
• One of the most widely planted eucalyptus species globally, with over 5 million hectares of plantations worldwide
• Major plantation countries include Brazil, South Africa, Uruguay, and China
• Brazil has the largest Flooded Gum plantation estate in the world
• Known as "Rose Gum" in Australia due to the pinkish-copper tones of newly exposed bark

A very tall, straight-trunked evergreen tree with a commanding presence.

Bark:
• Smooth, shedding in long, curling strips from the trunk and branches
• White to pale gray, often with coppery-pink or bluish patches when freshly exposed
• Base of very old trees may develop a short stocking of rough bark

Leaves:
• Adult leaves alternate, lanceolate, 10 to 18 cm long and 1.5 to 3 cm wide
• Dark green and glossy above, paler beneath
• Strongly aromatic when crushed — characteristic eucalyptus scent
• Juvenile leaves are larger, broader, and duller green
• Pendulous leaf orientation reduces water loss

Flowers:
• Produced in axillary umbels of 7 to 11 flowers
• White, small but profuse, with numerous conspicuous stamens
• Bloom in summer to autumn
• Extremely rich in nectar — among the best honey-producing eucalypts
• Pollinated by insects, birds, and small mammals

Fruit:
• Small, woody, cup-shaped capsules, 5 to 8 mm
• Contain numerous tiny seeds
• Open to release seed after maturity

Form:
• 45 to 60 meters tall, exceptionally reaching 75 meters
• Trunk exceptionally straight and clean — sometimes branchless for 30 to 40 meters
• Crown relatively open and narrow for such a tall tree

The Flooded Gum is a keystone species in the wet sclerophyll forests of eastern Australia.

Habitat:
• Dominates wet sclerophyll forests on moist, fertile soils of the coastal lowlands and foothills
• Found along creek flats and in sheltered gullies with reliable moisture
• Prefers deep, well-drained loamy soils with good rainfall (over 1,000 mm annually)
• Occurs in regions with warm, humid summers and mild winters

Ecological interactions:
• Flowers produce enormous quantities of nectar — a crucial food source for honeyeaters, lorikeets, flying foxes, and gliders
• Koalas feed on the leaves, though Flooded Gum is not their primary food tree
• Hollow-bearing old trees provide nesting sites for parrots, cockatoos, and arboreal mammals
• Bark streamers provide roosting habitat for insectivorous bats
• Leaf litter and bark strips contribute to forest floor ecology

Growth:
• Among the fastest-growing trees on Earth — routinely adds 2 to 3 meters per year in height
• Can reach 50 meters in height and 50 cm in diameter in just 20 years
• Productive rotation of 25 to 35 years for timber
• Sprouts vigorously from the lignotuber after fire or cutting

A premier timber plantation species with enormous commercial importance.

Site selection:
• Full sun
• Deep, moist, well-drained, fertile loamy soils
• Requires good rainfall — minimum 1,000 mm annually
• Best in tropical and subtropical climates
• Avoid frost-prone and drought-prone sites

Planting:
• Typically planted from seedling or clonal stock at spacings of 3 x 2 or 3 x 3 meters
• Plant at the onset of the rainy season in tropical regions
• Can be propagated from seed or tissue culture

Care:
• Requires regular moisture during establishment
• Responds strongly to fertilization with nitrogen and phosphorus
• Thin plantation stands at 5 to 8 years for optimal growth
• Susceptible to Myrtle Rust (Austropuccinia psidii) — a serious emerging disease
• Also susceptible to termites and eucalyptus borers in some regions
• Hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11

One of the most commercially important trees in the global forestry industry.

Timber:
• One of the premier hardwood plantation species worldwide — over 5 million hectares planted globally
• Wood is strong, moderately durable, and suitable for construction, flooring, plywood, and furniture
• Widely used for pulp and paper production
• Major source of bioenergy and charcoal in Brazil and other tropical countries
• Plantation-grown timber reduces pressure on native forests

Essential oil:
• Leaves yield eucalyptus oil, though in lower concentrations than some other species
• Used in pharmaceuticals, antiseptics, and fragrances

Honey:
• Flowers produce abundant nectar — one of the best honey-producing eucalypts
• Flooded Gum honey is light-colored with a mild, sweet flavor

Ecological services:
• Fast growth makes it effective for carbon sequestration
• Used in reforestation and watershed protection
• Windbreak and shelterbelt plantings