Corymbia maculata
spotted gum
Overview
Corymbia maculata is an evergreen tree reaching 65-115 feet (20-35 m) tall, occasionally taller, with a straight trunk 24-50 inches (60-130 cm) in diameter and a high, open crown. The bark is smooth and sheds in irregular patches through the year, leaving a dimpled surface mottled in cream, grey, and pink that gives the tree its common name. Adult leaves are lance-shaped, 4-8 inches (10-21 cm) long, glossy dark green, and arranged alternately. White flowers about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across are borne in clusters of three from autumn into winter, followed by woody urn-shaped capsules 0.4-0.6 inch (1-1.5 cm) long. As a hardwood it grows quickly when young, adding 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) a year, and can live more than 150 years. It tolerates a range of soils, including clay, and moderate drought once established, but is sensitive to severe frost when young. Branches can shed without warning on old, large trees.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, in coastal and near-coastal districts of New South Wales and southern Queensland, with scattered occurrences in Victoria. Grows in open forest on clay loams and other moderately fertile soils, from near sea level to about 2,300 feet (700 m).Suggested Uses
Used as a shade and timber tree and in large-scale revegetation, spaced 20-40 feet (6-12 m) apart for canopy plantings. Suited to parks, rural properties, and street plantings where there is room for a tall tree with a spreading crown. Too large for small gardens, and shed bark and limbs create regular litter.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height65' - 115'
Width/Spread30' - 50'
Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years
Bloom Information
Flowers from autumn into winter, mainly April to August in its native range, though timing varies between years and regions. The white flower clusters open over several weeks and draw nectar-feeding birds and insects. Capsules develop over the following months and persist on the tree.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
glossy dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun on a wide range of soils, including clay loams, where drainage is reasonable. Water young trees through the first few summers; established trees tolerate moderate drought. It grows without supplementary feeding on most soils. Borers, lerps, and leaf-eating beetles can affect stressed trees. The species is sensitive to severe frost when young but hardens with age. Large old trees can shed limbs without warning, a hazard where they grow near buildings or high-use areas.Pruning
Remove dead, damaged, or low branches in the early years to develop a clear trunk; large eucalypts respond poorly to heavy topping, which produces weak regrowth. Formative pruning is done while branches are small. Mature trees need little pruning beyond the removal of deadwood.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter