Eucalyptus elata

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus elata is native to the temperate climate of southeastern Australia, where it is found at elevations up to 700 metres. Summers are hot and can be dry, with most rainfall occurring in the winter months. There can be a dry season of 3 - 4 months. Mean annual rainfall is within the range 1,000 - 1,500mm; mean maximum of the hottest month is 28°c; mean minimum of the coldest month is 3 - 4°c, and there are generally up to 50 frosts a year^[1]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -5°c, but young growth is more tender and can be severely damaged at -1°c^[2]. Requires a sunny position, succeeding in a range of medium-textured, well-drained soils of moderate fertility^[2]. Found in the wild in areas with fertile soils that maintain a moist subsoil but do not get waterlogged^[1]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7^[2]. A fast-growing species^[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 plant responds well to coppicing^[1]. This tree is not found in closed forests, but it still makes a good plantation species^[1]. It has rather limited prospects as a timber species but could be very useful as a pulpwood species^[1]. The tree has been trialled on a substantial scale in South Africa. It is classed as a good coppicing species which debarks well. It does well in winter- or uniform rainfall conditions wlaich are similar to the climate of its native habitat, but it also makes good plantations on suitable soils in summer-rainfall areas, which suggests it is a species of great plasticity, since in general it is difficult to move Eucalyptus species from a winter-rainfall to a summer-rainfall situation^[1]. It would appear that the species has been underestimated regarding its potential for production forestry. Because of its plasticity it should be tried in more countries^[1]. 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^[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].