Eucalyptus Maniffera - Brittle Gum - Evergreen Trees Direct

Eucalyptus mannifera 40cm/45L - Evergreen Trees Direct

Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum

$280.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L 100L 200L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 1m – 1.4m Approx.
100L: 3m – 3.5m Approx.
200L: 3.4m – 4m Approx.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m to 25m (approx.)

Mature Width: 8m to 12m

Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum is expected to grow 0.8m to 1.2m per year (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum

Eucalyptus mannifera, the Brittle Gum, is a medium native tree with a straight trunk and a symmetrical upright crown. Its bark is the drawcard: powdery white to pale grey through most of the year, shedding in late summer to reveal streaks of red, orange and pink. The leaves are narrow and grey-green.

It wants full sun and accepts most soils that drain, including poor gravelly ground. It is frost hardy and takes heavy and frequent frost without damage, which is why it lines Canberra streets, and it is drought hardy once established. Growth is 0.8 to 1.2 metres a year. Best in cool temperate and tableland districts.

Use it as an avenue tree, a shade tree or a civic specimen where the winter bark colour can be seen, and it is planted heavily in revegetation across the Southern Tablelands. Group three or five together and the white trunks read as a single feature. Allow room for a 10 to 20 metre tree.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Brittle Gum

What is Brittle Gum?

Eucalyptus mannifera is the Brittle Gum, an evergreen native of the tablelands of New South Wales, the ACT and eastern Victoria. It is grown for its powdery white trunk, which sheds in late summer to expose red and orange patches beneath. The crown is upright and symmetrical, carrying narrow grey-green leaves.

How big does Eucalyptus mannifera grow?

It grows 10 to 20 metres tall with a spread of about 8 to 12 metres. It is a medium to tall tree with a fairly narrow, upright crown for its height, so the footprint is smaller than the numbers suggest. Give it space to reach full height rather than planting it under power lines.

Why is it called Brittle Gum?

The name refers to the timber, which is brittle and snaps rather than bends, so limbs can break in heavy wind or under snow load. It is not a fault in a landscape tree, but it is worth siting away from parking, buildings and high-use areas, and worth checking for damaged limbs after storms.

Is Brittle Gum frost tolerant?

Yes, thoroughly. It is frost hardy and survives heavy and frequent frost without damage, and it also handles occasional snow. It is one of the mainstay street trees of Canberra and the Monaro for exactly that reason. No protection is required beyond keeping young trees watered through their first summers.

Where does Brittle Gum grow best in Australia?

It grows best in cool temperate and tableland country: the ACT, the Southern and Central Tablelands of New South Wales, the New England region and eastern Victoria. It also does well in Adelaide Hills conditions. It is less suited to humid subtropical coasts, where the white bark tends to discolour with algae and lichen.

How far apart should I plant it for an avenue?

For an avenue, plant 3 metres apart to get an even, uniform line of trunks. As a feature tree or in a spaced grove, 3 to 4 metres apart lets each canopy develop fully. The same 3 to 4 metre spacing suits a screening row or windbreak, since a 10 to 20 metre tree cannot be held as a clipped hedge.

How do I care for Brittle Gum?

Water deeply through the first two summers, then it looks after itself in most districts. Mulch the root zone and keep the trunk clear so the bark stays dry. Do not fertilise heavily. Prune only for structure while the tree is young, and remove broken limbs promptly, since the timber is prone to snapping.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Shade Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes
Avenue Planting
Rural Property Planting
Revegetation or Regeneration

Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum works in an:

Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum Evergreen or Deciduous?

Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m to 25m (approx.)

Mature Width: 8m to 12m

Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum is expected to grow 0.8m to 1.2m per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum

Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum is expected to grow 0.8m to 1.2m per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate
Fast Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum

Is Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum frost tolerant?

Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum Flower?

Eucalyptus mannifera produces clusters of small creamy-white fluffy flowers from late summer into autumn. These soft blooms sit along the fine branchlets, offering a subtle seasonal highlight that contrasts beautifully with its smooth white to pink-grey mottled bark.

Does Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Summer

Flower Type:

Fluffy

Flower Colour:

Cream

Is Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum an Australian Native Tree?

Yes

Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum is Native to Native to south-eastern Australia, including New South Wales, Victoria, and the ACT, where it grows in dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands.

What is the Wildlife Value of Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum ?

Its nectar-rich flowers attract honeyeaters, native bees, butterflies and a range of beneficial insects. The smooth peeling bark supports insects and microfauna, while the branching canopy provides perching and nesting habitat for small birds, contributing strongly to a biodiverse native garden ecosystem.

How much Sunlight does Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum need?

Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Eucalyptus mannifera performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained areas unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as it matures to support excellent drought resilience, healthy canopy development and its signature mottled bark.

Is Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum Drought Tolerant?

Is Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established Eucalyptus mannifera develops excellent drought tolerance. It thrives in hot, dry inland and elevated environments and maintains its elegant trunk and airy canopy with minimal supplementary watering.

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How To Plant Your Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum

Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum is expected to grow 0.8m to 1.2m per year (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate
Fast Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release native blend in early spring and again in autumn. Avoid high-phosphorus formulations as a precaution.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection for psyllids or scale in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Eucalyptus mannifera - Brittle Gum in Different Soil

Eucalyptus mannifera- performs best in well-drained sandy loam or loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Eucalyptus mannifera suitable for small gardens?
Due to its potential size, it's more suited for larger gardens or open landscapes. However, with regular pruning, it can be maintained in a smaller garden.

Does it have any special requirements?
No, the Brittle Gum is quite hardy and adaptable, thriving in various conditions once established.