Eucalyptus ovata

Common Name: Swamp Gum

Height: 8-25 metres

Spread: 10 metres

Habit: Small to medium tree.

Family: Myrtaceae

Origin/Habitat: Widespread and commonly found on periodically swampy flats and poorly drained slopes, also near coastal in open forests.

Foliage: Adult leaves are 8-14cm ´ 2-5cm, thick, dark green in colour and semi-glossy on both sides. They have a noticeably wavy edge. Juvenile leaves are large and almost round in shape.

Flowers: March-Nov. White coloured flowers.

Other features for identification: Bark is rough to various heights and dark in colour, it is shed in ribbons from branches and upper trunk, revealing smooth greyish bark. Buds are found in clusters of 4-8. Fruit has a flat top 6-8mm in width, with 3-4 valves near rim level.

Soil preferences: Fertilise at plant out with 20gm of 18:2.6:10 N.P.K slow release. Prefers moist, well drained or wet soils.

Cultural tolerances: Adaptable to most drainage conditions. Requires full sun. Resistant to saline soils and frost; tender to drought. Wind tolerance – can be placed in the front line of a windbreak.

Maintenance requirements: Low. Add a 9 month slow release fertiliser in spring.

Uses:        Firewood & Timber

Other: High fire risk. Wood can be used as fuel, but otherwise has little value.

Propagation: By seed.