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Coral gum — <em>Eucalyptus torquata</em> Coral gum — <em>Eucalyptus torquata</em> Coral gum — <em>Eucalyptus torquata</em> Coral gum — <em>Eucalyptus torquata</em> Coral gum — <em>Eucalyptus torquata</em>

Description

The Coral gum eucalyptus is small to medium size evergreen tree with a round crown, slowly growing 20-35 ft. tall, spreading as wide. Trunks are covered with rough brown persistent bark. Leaves are 2-6 in. long, pointed and pale green. Pink to rose colored flowers occur in large numbers in summer for a short and colorful season. Large amounts of nectar are produced by these flowers for bees and insects to harvest.

Native to the coast of western Australia, the Coral gum grows in low elevations on stony slopes and hills. Soils are typically well-drained loams that are slightly alkaline. In cultivation in the Inland Empire, this species has also shown good tolerance to sand and clay soils.

This is one of the more petite and ornamental eucalyptus species that can be used in smaller spaces and in residential gardens. It is planted as a patio tree and garden trees, and always needs careful staking and pruning when young to produce a good shape. It can easily grow with low amounts of supplemental water during summer following normal winter rainfall.

Water Needs

The Coral gum eucalyptus is naturally adapted to the Mediterranean climate of the Inland Empire where normal winter rainfall usually meets all of its winter moisture needs; periodic summer water helps maintain good foliage character during the dry season. The chart shown below provides a baseline guide to the monthly irrigation schedule and volume of supplemental water needed to maintain healthy growth throughout the average year. It should be noted there are several months indicated by an asterisk (*) when winter rains can provide sufficient moisture and irrigation is not needed

Irrigation Schedule and Graph

Moderate Water Use Plants

Irrigation Schedule 3

  Jan* Feb* Mar* Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov* Dec*
Runs per Month 0x to 3x 0x to 3x 0x to 3x 2x to 3x 1x to 2x 1x to 2x 1x to 2x 1x to 2x 1x to 2x 2x to 3x 0x to 3x 0x to 3x
Inches per Run 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1"
 
Inches per Month 0" to 3" 0" to 3" 0" to 3" 2" to 3" 1" to 2" 1" to 2" 1" to 2" 1" to 2" 1" to 2" 2" to 3" 0" to 3" 0" to 3"

Range of supplemental summer water: 9"-16"
Range of supplemental winter water: 0"-15"

 
0"-3"
0"-3"
0"-3"
2"-3"
1"-2"
1"-2"
1"-2"
1"-2"
1"-2"
2"-3"
0"-3"
0"-3"
  Jan* Feb* Mar* Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov* Dec*
For more information on how to use this Irrigation Schedule and Graph, click here.

Plant Properties

Plant Type: Tree
Foliage Character: Evergreen
Habit: Upright, Mounding, Low-branching, Dense
Growth Rate: Slow, Moderate
Height: 20 ft. - 35 ft.
Width: 25 ft. - 35 ft.
Water Needs: Moderate 3
Foliage Color: Pale green
Flower Color: Red, Pink
Flower Season: Summer
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil, Sand, Rocky soil, Loam, Clay, Alkaline soil
Exposure Adaptations: Wind, Heat, Fog, All day sun
Function: Wildlife value, Specimen, Shade Tree, Residential spaces, Raised planters, Parks and open space, Flowering accent plant, Commercial spaces, Banks, Background plant, Attracts bees, Fragrant foliage, Small spaces

Maintenance

Always requires proper early structural pruning to establish good long term form and proper staking, to be removed as soon as the tree can properly support itself, so it can develop its own strength. Plant in fall, winter, or early spring. Prune in fall and winter (D).

References

Associations

Plant Lists