- Mature height
- 15m to 25m
- Mature width
- 10m to 15m
Eucalyptus blakelyi, or Blakely's Red Gum, is a medium to tall Australian native with an upright, spreading crown. Its smooth bark sheds in patches of cream, grey and soft red, and the narrow lance-shaped leaves hang loosely, giving the canopy an open, airy look. White flowers appear in summer.
Plant it in full sun in freely draining soil. It is frost hardy, taking heavy and frequent frost without damage, and it is drought tolerant once established. Growth is fast at 50 to 100 centimetres a year. It suits inland and temperate districts of New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria and southern Queensland.
Most buyers plant it on rural properties, in shelterbelts and windbreaks, or as a shade tree in open paddocks and large gardens. It also works in avenue plantings and revegetation work, where the summer flowers feed birds and bees. At 15 to 20 metres it needs room, so give it space away from buildings.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Blakely's Red Gum
How big does Blakely's Red Gum grow?
It reaches 15 to 20 metres tall and 6 to 10 metres wide at maturity, which puts it in the medium to tall bracket for a red gum. The canopy is upright and spreading rather than narrow, so allow for the full width when siting it. It is a tree for paddocks, acreage and large open gardens rather than small suburban blocks.
How fast does Eucalyptus blakelyi grow?
Growth is fast, generally 50 to 100 centimetres a year once the roots are away. Water regularly through the first two summers and keep grass and weeds off the root zone, and you will see the quicker end of that range. Growth slows as the tree approaches its mature height of 15 to 20 metres.
Is Blakely's Red Gum frost tolerant?
Yes. It is frost hardy and survives heavy and frequent frost without damage, which is why it is widely planted through the Southern Tablelands, the ACT and inland New South Wales. Young trees still benefit from shelter in their first winter or two, but established trees need no protection from cold at all.
When does Blakely's Red Gum flower?
White flowers appear in summer, roughly December through February, held in small clusters across the canopy. They are rich in nectar and draw honeyeaters, lorikeets, native bees and European bees. Flowering can be heavier in some years than others, which is normal for eucalypts and follows the season's rainfall.
Where does Eucalyptus blakelyi grow best in Australia?
It grows best in inland and temperate parts of eastern Australia, including the western slopes and tablelands of New South Wales, the ACT, northern and central Victoria and the southern Queensland downs. It is well suited to hot dry summers and cold frosty winters, and it is less at home in humid coastal or tropical conditions.
How far apart should I plant it for a windbreak or avenue?
For an avenue, space trees 3 metres apart to get an even, soft-textured line. As a feature tree or in a windbreak, 3 to 4 metres apart lets each canopy develop its full form. On rural windbreaks, staggered double rows at that spacing give better wind filtering than a single straight line of trees.
How do I care for Blakely's Red Gum?
Water deeply through the first two summers, then it should look after itself. Mulch to the drip line, keeping the mulch clear of the trunk, and hold off on rich fertiliser, which native trees rarely want. Prune only to remove crossing or damaged limbs and to lift the crown while the tree is young.