The humble spotted gum is a world class urban tree. Here's why
The spotted gum is one of these instantly recognisable eucalypts.
- The spotted gum is one of these instantly recognisable eucalypts.
- You may well have seen a spotted gum growing happily on an urban street.
- In fact, if the spotted gum has a secret superpower, it would be the ability to fit into our cities with a minimum of fuss.
Why are spotted gums special?
- That leaves the famous spots on their trunks (maculatus is Latin for spotted).
- But there are very good reasons our city planners and councils turn to the spotted gum.
- In nature, the spotted gum and close relatives, the lemon scented gum (C. citriodora) and large leafed spotted gum (C. henryii) grow along the east coast of Australia, from far eastern Victoria to southern Queensland.
- In New South Wales forests, you might be lucky enough to spot the pairing of spotted gums and native cycads (Macrozamia), ancient plants resembling palms.
- Spotted gums are quick growing and hardy, if a little frost-sensitive when young.
Resilient trees for the future climate
- On urban streets in many parts of Australia, they will endure as the climate changes – possibly for decades or even centuries.
- These let the trees cope well with the abuses urban life can throw at them.
- As climate change intensifies, city planners are looking for resilient street trees able to provide cooling shade in a hotter climate.
- Read more:
Without urgent action, these are the street trees unlikely to survive climate change