Corymbia maculata

Cultivation Details

Corymbia maculata grows wild from the temperate to the subtropical zones and from the humid coastal plains to dry inland areas. It can be found at elevations up to 2,000 metres, growing in areas where the mean annual temperature ranges from 15 - 20°c, and the mean annual rainfall from 700 - 1,800mm^[1]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -6°c, but young growth is more tender and can be severely damaged at 0°c^[2]. Requires a sunny position^[2]. The tree grows best on moist, well-drained soils of moderately heavy texture. The parent material includes slates, shales and granites^[1]. Trees are tolerant of exposed, windy situations, even if there is salt spray^[2]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6, tolerating 5 - 7^[2]. Established plants are drought tolerant^[2]. The plant develops a lignotuber - this is a woody tuber that starts to develop near the base of seedlings and can become massive in the mature plants of some species. It possesses embedded vegetative buds, allowing the plant to regenerate following crown destruction, for example by fire^[3]. The tree coppices well and can survive most forest fires by resprouting from the base^{[1, 2]}. A fire-resistant species and, although young seedlings are sensitive to fire, well-established seedlings are resistant^[1]. The tree is cultivated for its wood in many countries. It grows fast and in South Africa, an average annual increase in height of 2 - 2.5 metres has been recorded in the first few years^[1]. Annual wood production potential is 21 - 35 cubic metres per hectare^[2]. Whilst most Corymbia species, grown in small numbers outside their native range, can be an attractive and useful addition to the landscape, certain species (including this one) are more problematic. When grown in monocultures, especially outside their native range, they can become an environmental disaster. They are voracious, especially in their use of water; they are allelopathic, inhibiting the growth of the native flora; they reduce habitats for native fauna; and encourage the worst possible attitudes to land use and conservation^[4]. Corymbia species have not adopted a deciduous habit and continue to grow until it is too cold for them to do so. This makes them more susceptible to damage from sudden cold snaps. If temperature fluctuations are more gradual, as in a woodland for example, the plants have the opportunity to stop growing and become dormant, thus making them more cold resistant. A deep mulch around the roots to prevent the soil from freezing also helps the trees to survive cold conditions^[4]. Many members of this genus are remarkably adaptable however, and there can be a dramatic increase in the hardiness of subsequent generations from the seed of survivors growing in temperate zones^[4].