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Koala Tree: Narrow-leaved Red Gum

8/11/2015

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Scientific name: Eucalyptus seeana

This Eucalypt occurs as scattered individuals in woodlands and open forests often on low, swampy, sandy soils. It is relatively common within the remaining stands of gums associated with the wetlands of Hays Inlet. It can grow to a height of 40 meters, is often crooked and is characterised by having white or grey, smooth bark which can shed in large plates.

Overall these trees are not that common with patchy distribution. Within Australia they are restricted to North Eastern New South Wales and South Eastern Queensland (from Taree in NSW to Caloundra in Queensland). Some populations of these trees in New South Wales are considered endangered.

The leaves are a dull green colour up to 10 – to 18 cm in length and 1 – 2 cm in width and often characterised by having a weeping structure. These leaves are an important source of fodder for local koala populations.  Their flowers are white and appear between September and December when they attract honeyeaters and lorikeets, sugar, yellow-bellied and squirrel gliders along with flying foxes. This tree is very similar in appearance to another local smooth barked gum tree Eucalyptus tereticornis (Queensland Blue Gum).  

This important Eucalypt is generally uncommon and so we should treasure their presence in Redcliffe and the Hays Inlet. They are a koala tree and adapted to dealing with moist soils hence they are often associated with Melaleuca. In terms of our Koala Habitat project these trees would be an ideal plant for Clontarf.
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    Authors

    Bob Crudgington and Chris Joyce

    Redcliffe Environmental Forum Inc

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