Eucalyptus melliodora
Yellow Box
South-eastern Australia (NSW, Victoria, south-east Queensland)
Overview
Eucalyptus melliodora is an evergreen tree reaching 50-100 feet (15-30 m) tall with a single trunk and an open spreading crown 30-50 feet (9-15 m) wide. The bark is variable, with grey-brown fibrous or scaly box-type bark on the trunk and lower branches and smooth pale grey to yellowish bark shedding on the upper limbs. Adult leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, 2.5-5.5 inches (6-14 cm) long, dull grey-green on both sides, and hang from the branches. Cream-white flowers about 0.4 inch (1 cm) across open in clusters of up to seven from spring into summer, and at irregular intervals between years. Woody seed capsules 0.2-0.3 inch (5-7 mm) long follow the flowers. Growth is slow to moderate, and trees live for several centuries. The flowers are a major nectar source for honey production. The tree drops bark, leaves, and small branches through the year, creating ongoing litter beneath the canopy. Heavy limbs can shed in drought, which limits use close to buildings.
Native Range
Native to south-eastern Australia, from central New South Wales through Victoria to south-eastern Queensland. Grows in grassy woodland and open forest on fertile loams and clay-loams of the inland slopes and plains, often alongside Eucalyptus blakelyi.Suggested Uses
Planted as a shade and shelter tree in large gardens, parks, paddocks, and rural windbreaks, spaced 30-50 feet (9-15 m) apart. Grown in revegetation and for honey production. The size, litter, and limb drop make it unsuited to small gardens or planting close to buildings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height50' - 100'
Width/Spread30' - 50'
Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years
Bloom Information
Flowers from spring into summer, though heavy flowering occurs only every second or third year. Individual flower clusters last 2-4 weeks, and a flowering tree carries blossom for 6-10 weeks. Nectar flow varies sharply between seasons depending on rainfall.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dull grey-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
Plant in full sun in deep, fertile, well-drained loam or clay-loam; growth is slow on shallow or compacted soils. Water young trees through the first two to three summers, after which established trees tolerate extended drought. Trees are frost hardy to about 15°F (-9°C) once established. Mistletoe and leaf-eating insects such as lerps and beetles can defoliate stressed trees. Heartwood is prone to internal decay in old trees, and large limbs can fall without warning in dry weather. The tree is slow to reach size, taking decades to form a broad crown.Pruning
Remove dead, damaged, or crossing limbs in the first few years to form a single leader and a clear trunk. Mature trees need little pruning beyond deadwood removal for safety. Large cuts on old trees heal slowly and can admit decay.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter