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Corymbia torelliana
cadaghi
Overview
Corymbia torelliana is an evergreen tree reaching 65-100 feet (20-30 m) tall with a dense, spreading crown and a trunk to 3 feet (0.9 m) in diameter. The upper trunk and branches have smooth, greenish to grey bark that sheds in patches, while the lower trunk retains rough, dark, persistent bark. Adult leaves are broad-ovate, 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) long, dull green, and rough to the touch; juvenile leaves are covered in bristly hairs. Creamy-white flowers appear in branched clusters at the branch tips, mainly in summer. The fruit is an urn-shaped woody capsule about 0.4 inch (1 cm) long containing a resinous deposit. Growth is fast, with young trees adding 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) per year in warm climates. The resinous fruit is collected by native stingless bees, which disperse the seed; in southeast Queensland and other areas outside its natural range the species has naturalized, and seed and resin can block the entrances of native stingless bee hives.
Native Range
Native to northeastern Queensland, Australia, around tropical rainforest margins on the Atherton Tableland and nearby coastal ranges. Grows in high-rainfall areas at 1,300-3,300 feet (400-1,000 m) elevation on fertile, well-drained soils.Suggested Uses
Planted as a shade and street tree in tropical and subtropical regions, spaced at least 40 feet (12 m) from buildings and paving because of vigorous surface roots. Its weedy spread limits use near bushland and native bee habitat. Used in the past as a windbreak and amenity tree on rural properties.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height65' - 100'
Width/Spread30' - 50'
Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years
Bloom Information
Flowers mainly in summer, December through February in its native range. Flowering varies between years, and not all trees flower annually. Cream flowers persist 2-4 weeks on each tree.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dull greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun on fertile, well-drained soils in frost-free, high-rainfall climates. Young trees grow rapidly and need regular water until established, after which they tolerate seasonal dry periods. Roots are vigorous and surface-rooting, lifting paving and competing with nearby plantings. The species naturalizes readily from bird- and bee-dispersed seed and is recorded as an environmental weed in parts of southeast Queensland. Corymbia torelliana is frost-sensitive, with young foliage damaged below 30°F (-1°C).Pruning
Tolerates formative pruning when young to raise the canopy and establish a single leader. Deadwood is cleared from the large crown as it develops. Lopping mature limbs creates large wounds slow to seal and prone to decay.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter