Eucalyptus lacrimans
Other common names
Adaminaby Snow Gum.
Origin of the species name
Eucalyptus from Latin meaning well-covered and describes the cap on the flower bud; lacrimans from Latin meaning weeping.
Family
Myrtaceae
Date planted
November 2009
Lifespan
Trees of this species are very long lived.
General description
This is a small to medium sized evergreen tree with attractive whitish-grey patterned bark which peels away in long narrow strips. It has slender weeping branches and shiny pendulous leaves. Young branches and leaf stems are deep reddish-brown. The main flowering period is spring to early summer. Small white flowers are attached to the branches in tight round clusters of about 15. Mature brown gum nuts are cup-shaped, also in clusters but in varying numbers. Eucalyptus lacrimans is closely related to the more common snow gum, Eucalyptus pauciflora. Height 20m Spread 10m.
Natural distribution and habitat
The species is native to an area in the Snowy Mountains near the town of Adaminaby in New South Wales, Australia where it grows in grassy subalpine woodland, usually in deep soil on flats.
Conservation status
The weeping snow gum is a threatened species found predominantly on private property which is used for grazing and it is not widely conserved in the nearby Kosciuszko National Park. It could be threatened by a lack of regeneration due to grazing pressure, but is not currently listed as such.
Planting pattern
Planted in diagonal lines that parallel the sides of a hexagonal 'snowflake' in the rocky area near the centre of the forest.
Uses
It is an attractive specimen tree park plantings. As an excellent tree for cold damp positions, it can withstand snow and ice and is useful in groups for wind protection.
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.