Cider gum

Sun

Full sun; shelter young trees from cold, drying winds.

Water

Water deeply during establishment, allowing the surface soil to dry between waterings. Established trees tolerate some drought; container plants need regular watering.

Soil

Well-drained loam, sand or clay, preferably slightly acidic to neutral. Avoid persistently waterlogged soil.

Height

40-80 ft (12-24 m) unpruned

Spread

20-40 ft (6-12 m) unpruned

Flowers

Small creamy-white flowers, usually in summer; flowering varies with climate and is uncommon on regularly coppiced plants.

Foliage

Evergreen. Young growth has opposite pairs of rounded, blue-grey leaves. Mature foliage is alternate, longer, lance-shaped and grey-green to green; both are aromatic when crushed.

Growth

Fast; young trees can grow 3-6 ft (0.9-1.8 m) a year in favourable conditions.

Care needed

Medium

• Plant a small, young tree in spring without disturbing its roots; avoid pot-bound specimens.
• Water deeply through dry spells for the first two growing seasons.
• Spread 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch over the root area, keeping it clear of the trunk.
• Avoid routine feeding in the ground; excessive nitrogen encourages soft, vulnerable growth.
• Stake only if necessary on an exposed site, using a low, flexible tie and removing it once roots provide support.
• Allow room well away from buildings, drains and overhead wires; this is not a naturally small garden tree.

Pruning. For a tree, prune lightly in late winter or early spring, removing damaged growth and competing leaders while young. For a foliage shrub, establish the plant first, then coppice in spring after hard frosts to 6-12 in (15-30 cm) above ground; do not try to control a mature tree by topping it.

Late winter

Inspect for wind and frost damage, but wait until spring growth reveals which shoots have died.

Spring

Plant young trees once the soil is workable and the risk of severe frost has passed.

Spring

Coppice established plants grown for juvenile foliage, or lightly shape young trees.

Late spring

Renew mulch and check that stakes and ties are not rubbing or constricting the trunk.

Summer

Water establishing trees deeply during dry weather and check container plants frequently.

Autumn

Avoid hard pruning and nitrogen feeding; check wind stability before winter.

• Use as a specimen tree in a large lawn, where the peeling bark and changing leaf shapes can be seen.
• Coppice as a silver-blue foliage backdrop to ornamental grasses and flowering perennials.
• Pair with lavender, rosemary and gravel in a sunny, well-drained planting for contrasting leaf textures.
• Use a young, regularly managed plant as an architectural accent in a large container, accepting that it will need frequent watering and eventual replacement or planting out.

Garden styles it suits: Architectural minimal, Modern, Australian native, Dry gravel garden, Mediterranean and Winter interest.

Plant it with: Lavender, Rosemary, Russian sage, Catmint, Feather reed grass and Yarrow.

Wildlife: Flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and other insects when the tree is allowed to mature and flower. In Australia, eucalypt-feeding insects and browsing animals may also use it; its value to specialist wildlife is more limited outside its native range.

• Frost scorch or shoot dieback: shelter young plants and wait until spring growth starts before cutting back to living wood.
• Root decline in waterlogged ground: improve drainage before planting or choose a different site; do not keep watering saturated soil.
• Eucalyptus psyllids: inspect distorted or sticky new growth, conserve natural predators and wash small infestations from accessible shoots.
• Fungal leaf spots: remove fallen affected leaves, improve airflow and avoid wetting foliage; minor spotting usually needs no treatment.

Leaves and essential oil are toxic if eaten by cats, dogs or horses, and can also poison people. Signs can include drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness and depression; concentrated eucalyptus oil can cause severe, potentially life-threatening poisoning. Do not let pets chew foliage or use homemade eucalyptus preparations internally.

• Silver dollar gum (Eucalyptus cinerea)

  Usually retains rounded, silvery juvenile leaves for longer and develops rough, fibrous bark, unlike the largely smooth, peeling bark of cider gum.

• Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus)

  Juvenile leaves are generally much larger and carried on conspicuously angular or winged stems; its flower buds and woody fruits are also much larger.

The species name honours Tasmanian botanist Ronald Campbell Gunn, while 'cider gum' refers to the sweet sap traditionally collected and fermented into a cider-like drink.

Propagation. Grow from seed sown shallowly in spring under bright, protected conditions. Pot seedlings individually while small and plant out before roots become crowded; named selections may not come true from seed.

Accepted botanical name

Eucalyptus gunnii

Native range

Tasmania.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.