Family:

Myrtaceae

Eucalyptus dalrympleana

Mountain Gum

Other Names:

Name Origin:

dalrympleana — after Richard Dalrymple Hay, former Chief Commissioner of NSW Forests.

Regional Subspecies:

Similar Species:

Distinguished from Candlebark (E. rubida) mainly by its glaucous juvenile and intermediate leaves.

Occurrence:

Regional:

Mostly in upper reaches of catchments including Tooma, Maragle and Paddy’s River-Burra Valley.

Australia:

Qld, NSW, Vic, Tas.

Habitat:

Grassy or sclerophyll woodland or forest on loamy or sandy soils at higher elevations.

Habit:

Tree to 40 m high with smooth bark on lower trunk shedding in long ribbons. Large crown of glossy green leaves.

Site Preference:

Moist, well-drained deep soils. Tolerates frost.

Characteristics:

Fast-growing. Develops spreading habit in open situations. Hybridises with Candlebark on Northern Tablelands.

Seed Collection:

Early Dec to late May. Monitor closely, as seeds released 3-8 weeks after maturity. Trees fallen for timber are ideal seed source.

Propagation:

From seed (± 250 viable seeds per gram).

Regeneration:

From seed after fire.

VALUES:

Shade & Shelter:

Could be included in wide windbreaks as high-level cover.

Wildlife:

Important hollow source for birds, including the Sooty Owl, and mammals, including the Yellow-bellied Glider.

Timber:

Straight-grained, moderately coarse and hard, but not durable. Density about 740 kg/m3. Similar but superior to Candlebark timber. Used in framing, paneling, flooring, joinery and tool handles. Useful timber for farm forestry planting on sheltered sites.

Other:

Leaves produce red-orange dye with alum as mordant.