Sugar Gum
Eucalyptus cladocalyx · Evergreen Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Myrtaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Ornamental, Timber, Windbreak
Variety / Cultivar
Main species (Eucalyptus cladocalyx); some dwarf cultivars like 'Nana' exist.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11. Sensitive to heavy frosts, particularly when young.
About This Tree
An upright, medium to large tree with an open, spreading crown. Often develops a mottled trunk. It features cream-colored, puff-ball flowers and distinctive barrel-shaped fruit.
Leaf Characteristics
Adult leaves are alternate, glossy dark green on top and paler underneath (discolourous), lanceolate to ovate, 8-15cm long. Juvenile leaves are more rounded.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth throughout, shedding in irregular patches to reveal a colorful mottled pattern of white, yellow, and greyish-orange.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to South Australia (specifically Eyre Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, and Flinders Ranges).
Growing Season
Year-round growth; flowers typically appear from summer to autumn (January to April in the Southern Hemisphere).
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun. Low water needs once established; highly drought-tolerant but prefers well-drained soils.
Mature Size
Reaches 20-35 meters (65-115 ft) in height with a spread of 10-15 meters. Growth rate is moderate to fast.
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for its durable, termite-resistant timber. Extremely fire-tolerant through epicormic budding. Notable for its 'Sugar' name due to high nectar production.
Wildlife & Ecology
Critical honey-producing species; attracts bees, nectar-feeding birds, and possums. Provides essential nesting hollows for native parrots and owls in older specimens.