Eucalyptus cladocalyx 'Nana', the Dwarf Sugar Gum, is a compact selection of the Sugar Gum with a rounded, densely branched canopy that often holds low to the ground. The bark is smooth and streaked with grey, yellow and orange, and the glossy dark green leaves show soft pale undersides.
Full sun and free drainage suit it, and it accepts a wide range of soils including sand, clay loam and limestone. It handles light to moderate frost once established and is very drought and wind tolerant. Growth is 0.5 to 1 metre a year, slower than the species form. It does well right across southern Australia.
The smaller scale makes it useful where the species form is too big: suburban shade, street verges, car park islands, civic landscapes and coastal or dry inland windbreaks. It can also be run as a tall informal screen. At 8 to 10 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide, it fits an ordinary block.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Dwarf Sugar Gum
How big does Dwarf Sugar Gum grow?
It reaches 8 to 10 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide, with a rounded, dense canopy. That is a fraction of the standard Sugar Gum, which can pass 30 metres. The reduced scale is what makes it usable on residential blocks, street verges and in civic plantings where root and canopy room is limited.
How is it different from a standard Sugar Gum?
'Nana' is a naturally compact form of the same species. It reaches 8 to 10 metres rather than 20 to 35, branches lower, holds a rounder and denser crown, and grows more slowly at 0.5 to 1 metre a year. Bark, flowers and general toughness are the same, so you keep the character on a smaller frame.
When does Dwarf Sugar Gum flower?
Creamy white flowers open from late spring through summer, roughly November to February. The display is generous on established trees and brings in honeyeaters, lorikeets and bees. Flower numbers build as the tree matures, so a young plant may put on only a light show for its first few seasons before flowering reliably.
How far apart should I plant it for a screen or hedge?
For a dense informal screen, plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart. For a clipped, more formal hedge, 2 metres apart works, though it will need regular trimming to hold that scale. As a feature tree allow 3 to 4 metres, and for avenue planting space them 3 metres apart for an even line.
Is Dwarf Sugar Gum frost tolerant?
It is frost tolerant and handles light to moderate frost once established, but it is not in the same class as the cold-climate gums. In areas with heavy repeated frost, protect young plants through their first couple of winters or choose a frost-hardy species instead. Mature trees in southern Australia rarely have any trouble.
Can it be grown in a pot?
Yes, for a period. A large pot of at least 100 litres with a free-draining mix will hold a young tree for several years, and it takes pruning well enough to stay in scale. Long term it is still a tree and will want ground room, so treat pot culture as a stage rather than a permanent home.
How do I prune and care for Dwarf Sugar Gum?
Water weekly through the first two summers, then only in extended dry weather. Mulch the root zone, keeping mulch off the trunk. Prune in late winter or early spring to shape, shorten wayward limbs or lift the canopy. It responds well to cutting back, so hedging and screening trims are straightforward on this form.