Skip to content

Volume Discounts Apply At Checkout

Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box

Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box

Most loved for its rough, fibrous grey bark, spreading canopy, and cream-white flowers that support pollinators and wildlife.

Regular price $700.00
Sale price $700.00 Regular price
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
Pot size
Available batches
Size: 100L
Current height guide
Please enquire
Pot size
100L

Approximate only. Minimum height important? Confirm with us.

Height guide & disclaimer

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 must confirm 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.

Quantity

Order multiple sizes

Mix pot sizes and batches in one order.

Size / batchEachQuantity
100LApprox. height: Enquire for current heights$700.00

Height guide & disclaimer

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 must confirm 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.

Subtotal before discounts & delivery$0.00

Delivery is calculated at checkout.

Ask a question

The fields marked * are required.

Compare trees

Choose two trees and compare the same pot size.

    About Eucalyptus microcarpa

    Eucalyptus microcarpa, the Grey Box, is a robust medium to large Australian native eucalyptus valued for its drought tolerance, wildlife habitat benefits, and low-maintenance nature. It is a tough, long-lived tree with strong character.

    Grey Box grows to 15-25 metres tall with a broad domed canopy spreading 10-15 metres. It has narrow lance-shaped grey-green leaves and a gnarled trunk with rough grey bark. Creamy-white flowers from late summer to autumn attract birds and pollinators. The size and toughness suit shelterbelts, shade planting, and habitat restoration on larger properties.

    Grey Box thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, including clay loams and poorer soils, and needs minimal water once established. It performs well across NSW, VIC, and parts of SA, and is valued where longevity and resilience matter more than rapid growth.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    About Eucalyptus microcarpa Grey Box

    How tall does Grey Box grow?

    Eucalyptus microcarpa grows to 15-25 metres tall with a broad domed canopy spreading 10-15 metres.

    How fast does Grey Box grow?

    Grey Box has a moderate growth rate, and is valued for longevity and toughness rather than rapid growth.

    Is Grey Box an Australian native?

    Yes. Eucalyptus microcarpa is native to south-eastern Australia, found across inland NSW, VIC, and parts of SA.

    When does Grey Box flower?

    Grey Box produces creamy-white flowers from late summer to autumn, attracting birds, native bees, and other pollinators.

    Is Grey Box drought tolerant?

    Yes. Grey Box is highly drought tolerant once established and copes well with clay loams and poorer soils.

    Is Grey Box suitable for residential gardens?

    Grey Box suits larger gardens, rural properties, and habitat restoration projects due to its mature size. Allow plenty of room for the broad canopy.

    Where does Grey Box grow best in Australia?

    Grey Box thrives across NSW, VIC, and parts of SA in full sun with well-drained soil, tolerating heat and drought.

    Foliage

    Evergreen (foliage year round)

    Position
    • Full Sun
    Form
    • Spreading
    • Rounded
    Use
    • Avenue Planting
    • Council or Civic Landscapes
    • Rural Property Planting
    • Revegetation or Regeneration
    • Shade Tree
    Mature height
    10m to 25m (approx.)
    Mature width
    10m to 15m

    Planting Information

    How To Plant Your Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box

    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 microcarpa - Grey Box

    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 microcarpa - Grey Box is expected to grow 0.6m to 1.2m per year (approx.).

    • Medium Growth Rate

    Long Term Care For Your Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box

    Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

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

    Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

    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 in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

    Planting Your Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box in Different Soil

    Eucalyptus Microcarpa 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.

    Uses in my Garden

    Uses in my Garden

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

    Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box works in an:

    • Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
    • Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
    • Wildlife Garden – planting to attract birds, bees, and pollinators.
    • Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.

    Is Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box Evergreen or Deciduous?

    Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

    Mature Height & Width

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

    Mature Width: 10m to 15m

    Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box is expected to grow 0.6m to 1.2m per year (approx.).

    Growth Rate of Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box

    Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box is expected to grow 0.6m to 1.2m per year (approx.).

    They are considered to have a:

    • Medium Growth Rate

    Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box

    Is Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box frost tolerant?

    Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

    Does Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box Flower?

    Eucalyptus microcarpa produces clusters of small creamy-white fluffy flowers from late summer into autumn. These soft blooms appear along the branchlets and create a gentle seasonal highlight that contrasts beautifully with its grey-green foliage and finely textured canopy.

    Does Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box flower?

    • Yes - Flowers

    Flowering Period:

    • Summer
    • Autumn

    Flower Type:

    • Clustered
    • Pollinator-attracting

    Flower Colour:

    Cream

    Is Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box an Australian Native Tree?

    Yes

    Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box is Native to South-eastern Australia, widely distributed across Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland, where it grows in grassy woodlands and open forests.

    What is the Wildlife Value of Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box ?

    Its nectar-rich flowers attract honeyeaters, native bees, butterflies and a wide range of beneficial insects. The dense canopy provides valuable shelter and nesting habitat for small birds, while the rough, fibrous bark supports insects and microfauna that strengthen overall garden biodiversity.

    How much Sunlight does Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box need?

    Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box will thrive best in:

    • Full Sun

    Preferred Soil?

    Eucalyptus microcarpa performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. Highly adaptable, it can grow in poorer soils but may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained ground unless improved with organic matter and coarse material. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support its outstanding drought resilience, structural stability and reliable canopy performance.

    Is Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box Drought Tolerant?

    Is Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box Drought tolerant?

    As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established Eucalyptus microcarpa develops exceptional drought tolerance. It thrives in hot, dry inland regions and poor soils, maintaining its broad, durable canopy with minimal supplementary watering, even through extended drought.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How tall does Grey Box grow?

    Eucalyptus microcarpa grows to 15-25 metres tall with a broad domed canopy spreading 10-15 metres.

    How fast does Grey Box grow?

    Grey Box has a moderate growth rate, and is valued for longevity and toughness rather than rapid growth.

    Is Grey Box an Australian native?

    Yes. Eucalyptus microcarpa is native to south-eastern Australia, found across inland NSW, VIC, and parts of SA.

    When does Grey Box flower?

    Grey Box produces creamy-white flowers from late summer to autumn, attracting birds, native bees, and other pollinators.

    Is Grey Box drought tolerant?

    Yes. Grey Box is highly drought tolerant once established and copes well with clay loams and poorer soils.

    Is Grey Box suitable for residential gardens?

    Grey Box suits larger gardens, rural properties, and habitat restoration projects due to its mature size. Allow plenty of room for the broad canopy.

    Where does Grey Box grow best in Australia?

    Grey Box thrives across NSW, VIC, and parts of SA in full sun with well-drained soil, tolerating heat and drought.

    Compare sizes side by side

    100L

    Enquire for current heights

    Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.

    Eucalyptus microcarpa is loved for its rough, fibrous grey bark, spreading canopy, and cream-white flowers that support pollinators and wildlife.

    We take pride in supplying A+ grade advanced trees. When stock at our farm is not yet ready, we work with our trusted trade suppliers to source the best available trees for your garden.

    Plant Your Eucalyptus microcarpa - Grey Box With:

    Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

    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.

    youtube Load video:

    Evergreen Trees Direct Has Been Featured In:

    Follow Us On Instagram

    @evergreentreesdirect ↗
    Evergreen Trees DirectEvergreen Trees DirectEvergreen Trees DirectEvergreen Trees DirectEvergreen Trees Direct
    youtube Load video: