Eucalyptus michaeliana
Other common names
Northern Brittle Gum
Origin of the species name
Eucalyptus from Latin meaning well-covered and describes the cap on the flower bud; michaeliana refers to Canon N Michael, a Church of England minister in South East Queensland.
Family
Myrtaceae
Date planted
December 2009
Lifespan
Unknown
General description
This is a medium to tall evergreen tree with a moderately straight trunk that is distinctively mottled and greenish with peeling bark. With low branches, it often holds foliage close to the ground and has a very wide and bushy crown. The flowers are held in unusually large clusters. Height 25m Spread 15m.
Natural distribution and habitat
The species is native to a few sites with the largest in the Northern Tablelands in New South Wales, Australia. It grows on broad, flat topped ridges, on mountain slopes and below sandstone outcrops on lower valley slopes in either mixed wet sclerophyll forest or as small, almost pure stands.
Conservation status
It is a rare species that is not plentiful in any of the areas where it grows. It is being conserved in a number of flora reserves within Carrai National Park in northern New South Wales.
Planting pattern
Planted in irregular lines with wider spacings near the boundary fence.
Uses
As the heartwood is brittle, it has possibly only been used as firewood.
Further reading
Boland DJ, MIH Brooker, GM Chippendale, N Hall, BPM Hyland, RD Johnston, DA Kleinig, MW McDonald and JD Turner (2006) Forest Trees of Australia (5th Edition) CSIRO Publishing.