Family:

Myrtaceae

Eucalyptus dealbata

Tumbledown Gum

Other Names: Tumbledown Red Gum, Blakely's Red Gum, Silver Gum.

First Nations Name(s):

Name Origin:

dealbata — meaning white-ashed, referring to hue on leaves, particularly in autumn.

Regional Subspecies:

Similar Species:

Resembles Blakely’s Red Gum (E. blakelyi), particularly on better sites. Distinguished from Dwyer’s Red Gum (E. dwyeri) by its wider leaves, especially in seedlings. ???See Practical Information Note — The Red Gum Story. ???

Occurrence:

Regional:

Usually on dry rocky hills. Noted in the following areas: Urana-Rand-Corowa; Long Plain- West Hume; Majors Creek; Burrumbuttock-West Hume; Deadmans-Bungowannah-Long Flat; Albury district; Yambla; Mountain Creek-Native Dog-Sandy Creek; Sawyers-Forest-Four Post & Little Billabong; Boree; Narrandera-Morundah-Galore-Collingullie; Coreinbob & Carabost.

Australia:

Qld, NSW, Vic.

Habitat:

Grassy woodland on skeletal soils, usually on basic rocks. Also with White Cypress Pine (Callitris glaucophylla).

Habit:

Straggly tree to 15 m high with smooth bark shedding in large plates or flakes. Narrow grey- green adult leaves. Varies in form depending on site quality. More mallee-like on poorer sites.

Site Preference:

Tolerates most frost and dryness once established.

Flowering:

White, winter to early summer.

Propagation:

From seed.

VALUES:

Shade & Shelter:

Useful medium-level cover in windbreaks.

Land Protection:

Useful for recharge plantings.

Wildlife:

Birds attracted to good supplies of nectar and pollen. Hollows are nesting and refuge sites for many native birds and mammals.

Timber:

Durable in ground. Suitable for fencing and heavy construction, although trees often crooked. Potential for woodlot planting.

Ornamental:

Decorative specimen for larger gardens and parks. Saplings develop crown of attractive broad silvery leaves.

Other:

Very important in NSW due to pollen production for apiculture.