Forest 19 - Western Queensland White Gum (Australian native)

Eucalyptus argophloia

Young Western Queensland white gum tree in Forest 19 Bark and trunk of Western Queensland white gum in Forest 19. E. Hawkes

Other common names

Chinchilla White Gum, Queensland White Gum

Origin of the species name

Eucalyptus from Latin meaning well-covered and describes the cap on the flower bud; argophloia from Greek argos meaning white or bright, and phloios meaning bark.

Family

Myrtaceae

Date planted

February 2009

Lifespan

Unknown

Leaves of Western Queensland white gum in Forest 19

General description

This is a medium-sized to tall evergreen tree and usually has a very upright form with often more than half the trunk's height clear of branches. It has a striking smooth white trunk on which older bark can become a colourful pinkish grey. The sometimes narrow lance-shaped leaves grow to about 15cm and the small hemispherical fruit are held in groups of up to seven. Height 35m Spread 10m.

Natural distribution and habitat

The species is native to southern inland Queensland, Australia where it grows in clayey soils on or near the edges of flats, in areas with limited topographic relief.

Conservation status

It is classified as a threatened species and the main identified threat continues to be habitat destruction for agriculture and grazing. Potential threats include: harvesting for timber; lack of seedling regeneration due to weeds or planted pasture species, and road widening and maintenance activity. Its spread is now very restricted and is found in an area of only 15,000 hectares.

Uses

The timber is very hard and highly resistant to decay when in contact with the ground or in damp or poorly ventilated conditions. The heartwood is deep red, hard, heavy and strong. The wood has been used for poles, posts, general construction and firewood. Oil from the leaves has potential for medicinal use but the concentration in the leaves is low.

Planting pattern

Planted in clusters of seven trees with six trees forming a hexagon and one on the centre. Rows of trees have also been planted around the forest boundary in a regular diamond grid pattern.