Eucalyptus brockwayi
Eucalyptus brockwayi
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Eucalyptus brockwayi is native to the semi-arid climate of Western Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 420 metres. Summers are hot and dry, with most rainfall occurring in the winter months. Mean annual rainfall is within the range 225 - 375mm; mean maximum of the hottest month is 30°c; mean minimum of the coldest month is 4°c, and there are generally around 15 frosts a year[1]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -3°c, but young growth is more tender and can be severely damaged at 0°c[2]. Requires a sunny position, succeeding in a range of light to medium-textured, well-drained soils of low to moderate fertility[2]. Found in the wild on sandy soils or sandy loams derived from basic rock[1]. Prefers a pH in the range 7 - 7.5, tolerating 6.5 - 8[2]. This species is a possibility for arid Mediterranean-type climates where wood is urgently needed. It has grown well in North Africa[1]. Annual wood production potential is 4-5 cubic metres per hectare[2]. Eucalyptus 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[3]. 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[3].
Propagation
Seed - no pre-treatment is required[4]. Surface sow in a sunny position and make sure the compost is not allowed to dry out[5, 6, 7]. Species that come from high altitudes appreciate 6 - 8 weeks cold stratification at 2°c[3]. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as the second set of seed leaves has developed, if left longer than this they might not move well. The seedlings are ready for planting in the field when they are 25 - 30 cm tall, usually after 3 - 4 months. The seed has a long viability[3]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Eucalyptus+brockwayi>
Pollinators
Bees, Insects
References
- [1]Eucalypts for Planting — Jacobs M.R. · FAO; Rome · 1981 · http://www.fao.org · ISBN 92-5-100570-2 ↩︎An excellent publication, rather dated now but with a wealth of information about the Eucalypts. It can be downloaded from the Internet as a PDF file.
- [2]Ecocrop — http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home ↩︎Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
- [3]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [4]World Agroforesty Centre — http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ ↩︎An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
- [5]Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. — Bean. W. · Murray · 1981 · ISBN - ↩︎A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
- [6]Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. — Sheat. W. G. · MacMillan and Co · 1948 · ISBN - ↩︎A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
- [7]Growing from Seed. Volume 2. — Rice. G. (Editor) · Thompson and Morgan. · 1988 · ISBN - ↩︎Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. An interesting article on Ensete ventricosum.