Eucalyptus ovata - Evergreen Trees Direct

Eucalyptus ovata

$250.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: Enquire within for height guide information.

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 30m (approx.)

Mature Width: 7m to 15m

Eucalyptus ovata is expected to grow 1m to 1.5m 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)

Trade

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

Register or learn more ›

Shipping

Shipping is calculated at checkout based on the pallet space your order occupies in the truck and your delivery location.

There is no charge to calculate your freight.

Contact

Have a question or a list to send through to us?

Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Eucalyptus ovata

Eucalyptus ovata, the Swamp Gum or Black Gum, is a medium native tree with a rounded, upright crown. Juvenile leaves are broadly oval, which gives the species its name, and adult leaves are glossy dark green. Rough grey bark holds on the lower trunk, with smooth bark shedding in ribbons above.

It grows on ground other eucalypts refuse: heavy clay, seasonally flooded flats and poorly drained corners. Full sun to part shade suits it. It is frost hardy through heavy and frequent frost, with moderate drought tolerance. Growth is 1 to 1.5 metres a year. Best in Tasmania, Victoria, southern New South Wales and South Australia.

It is used for revegetating wet flats and creek margins, for farm shelterbelts, and in civic parkland and avenue planting where the ground stays damp. The winter and spring flowers matter for wildlife in the cold months. At 12 to 20 metres with a canopy to 15 metres, it is a shade tree for open ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Swamp Gum

What is Eucalyptus ovata?

Eucalyptus ovata, called Swamp Gum or Black Gum, is an evergreen native of Tasmania, Victoria, southern New South Wales and South Australia. It grows naturally on poorly drained flats and creek margins. The name comes from the broadly oval juvenile leaves. Adult foliage is glossy dark green and the lower trunk carries rough grey bark.

How big does Swamp Gum grow?

It reaches 12 to 20 metres tall with a broad canopy of 7 to 15 metres. Trees on damp, fertile flats reach the upper end of that range, while those on drier ground stay smaller. It is a full-sized shade tree, so plan around the wider canopy figure rather than the height when choosing a position.

Will it grow in wet or boggy soil?

Yes, and that is what sets it apart. It grows naturally on swampy flats and tolerates soil that is waterlogged for weeks at a time as well as periodic flooding, which is why it is used for revegetating wet gullies, dam surrounds and drainage lines. It also copes with heavy clay that stays cold and wet through winter.

Does it need sun or shade?

Full sun gives the best form, but it is more shade tolerant than most eucalypts and will grow acceptably in part shade, including under the edge of an existing canopy. In heavy shade the crown thins and the trunk stretches. For a shade tree or shelterbelt, open the position up and give it full light.

When does Swamp Gum flower?

Flowering runs through winter and into spring, and can begin in late autumn in warmer districts. The flowers are small, white to cream and held in clusters of seven. Because they open in the cold months, they are an important nectar source for honeyeaters, swift parrots in Tasmania and native bees when little else flowers.

Is Swamp Gum frost tolerant?

Yes. It is frost hardy and survives heavy and frequent frost without damage. It occurs naturally in cold, frost-prone hollows in Tasmania and the Victorian highlands where cold air pools, so it handles the sites that damage less hardy trees. No protection is needed beyond ordinary care in the first year.

How do I care for Swamp Gum?

Water through the first two summers, though on naturally damp ground it will need less. Mulch the root zone and keep the mulch off the trunk. Skip phosphorus-rich fertiliser. Prune in the first few years for a single leader and clear trunk, then only to remove deadwood or limbs over paths and fences.

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

Type: Australian Native

Acacia baileyana 'Purpurea' - Purple-Leaf Wattle

From $140.00

Melaleuca Nesophilla - Evergreen Trees Direct

Type: Australian Native

Melaleuca nesophila

From $120.00

Type: Hedging and Screening Trees

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Sheen'

From $145.00

Type: Australian Native

Leptospermum obovatum 'Starry Night' – Starry Night Tea Tree

From $250.00

Type: Australian Native

Callistemon viminalis 'Slim'

From $160.00

Type: Structural Foliage

Buxus japonica Japanese Box Topiary Balls

From $300.00

Uses in my Garden

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

Eucalyptus ovata works in an:

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

Is Eucalyptus ovata Evergreen or Deciduous?

Eucalyptus ovata is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m to 30m (approx.)

Mature Width: 7m to 15m

Eucalyptus ovata is expected to grow 1m to 1.5m per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Eucalyptus ovata

Eucalyptus ovata is expected to grow 1m to 1.5m per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Fast Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Eucalyptus ovata

Is Eucalyptus ovata frost tolerant?

Eucalyptus ovata is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Eucalyptus ovata Flower?

Eucalyptus ovata produces clusters of small creamy-white fluffy flowers from late summer into autumn. These soft blooms sit along the slender branchlets, adding a subtle seasonal highlight that pairs with its smooth, patchy bark and fresh green foliage.

Does Eucalyptus ovata flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer

Flower Type:

Fluffy

Flower Colour:

Cream

Is Eucalyptus ovata an Australian Native Tree?

Yes

Eucalyptus ovata is Native to Native to south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales, where it naturally grows in swampy flats and river valleys.

What is the Wildlife Value of Eucalyptus ovata ?

Its nectar-rich flowers attract honeyeaters, native bees, butterflies and beneficial insects. The tall evergreen canopy provides valuable shelter, nesting and perching habitat for small birds, while the rugged bark supports insects and microfauna, enriching overall garden biodiversity.

How much Sunlight does Eucalyptus ovata need?

Eucalyptus ovata will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Eucalyptus occidentalis performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. Although naturally adaptable to poorer soils, 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 the tree matures to support excellent drought performance, strong structural growth and reliable flowering.

Is Eucalyptus ovata Drought Tolerant?

Is Eucalyptus ovata Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established Eucalyptus occidentalis develops excellent drought tolerance. It thrives in hot, dry, inland and coastal environments and maintains strong growth and canopy health with minimal supplementary watering.

youtube

How To Plant Your Eucalyptus ovata

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 ovata

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 ovata is expected to grow 1m to 1.5m per year (approx.).

Fast Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Eucalyptus ovata

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 ovata in Different Soil

Eucalyptus ovata 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.