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Corymbia gummifera

red bloodwood

Myrtaceae Eastern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Corymbia gummifera is an evergreen tree growing 50-100 feet (15-30 m) tall, with a single trunk and a spreading crown; in exposed coastal sites it can be a smaller, gnarled tree. The bark is rough, reddish-brown, and tessellated, broken into small squarish flakes over the whole trunk and larger branches. The leaves are lance-shaped, 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) long, glossy green above and paler below, with a distinct vein inside the margin. Clusters of white flowers open in summer and autumn, drawing many nectar-feeding insects and birds. The woody fruits are urn-shaped capsules 0.6-1 inch (15-25 mm) long that persist on the tree. The trunk exudes a dark red gum (kino) when cut, which is the origin of the name bloodwood. The tree grows in sandy and clay soils on the coast and adjacent ranges and is sensitive to hard frost when young.

Native Range

Native to eastern Australia, from south-eastern Queensland through New South Wales to eastern Victoria. Grows in coastal and near-coastal heath, woodland, and dry sclerophyll forest on sandy and clay soils, from sea level to the adjacent ranges.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a shade and habitat tree in large gardens, parks, and rural plantings, spaced 30-50 feet (9-15 m) from buildings. The flowers draw nectar-feeding birds and insects, and hollows in older trees shelter wildlife. The mature size and litter make it better suited to large open spaces than small gardens.

How to Identify

Recognized by rough, reddish-brown, tessellated bark over the whole trunk and branches, and lance-shaped glossy leaves 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) long. The urn-shaped woody capsules 0.6-1 inch (15-25 mm) long are larger than those of most co-occurring eucalypts. Cut bark and wood release a dark red gum, separating bloodwoods from smooth-barked gums.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height50' - 100'

Width/Spread20' - 40'

Reaches mature size in approximately 15 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowers in summer and autumn, mainly January to April in eastern Australia, though timing varies between seasons and sites. Clusters of white flowers open over several weeks. Flowering can be heavy in some years and sparse in others.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Glossy green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand clay loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10-20 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun in sandy or clay soils with reasonable drainage and tolerates dry coastal conditions once established. Water young trees through dry spells until established; mature trees tolerate extended dry periods. Hard frost can damage young growth, limiting the tree to warm-temperate and coastal areas. The tree drops bark, leaves, and woody capsules, creating litter beneath the canopy. Its large size and surface roots make it better suited to open ground than confined spaces. Borers and leaf-feeding insects affect some trees but are seldom severe.

Pruning

Prune young trees in late winter to remove low, dead, or crossing branches and develop a clear trunk. Mature trees need little pruning beyond removing dead or damaged wood. Removing large limbs can lead to decay entering the trunk.