Brittle Gum

Brittle Gum (Eucalyptus mannifera) is grown for its trunk. The bark sheds in ribbons through late summer to leave a smooth, powdery white surface that reads from across a paddock, and in an open garden the tree settles at around 12m tall and 8m wide rather than the 20m it reaches in the bush. It is one of the toughest shade trees available for cold, dry inland country.

Why you'll love it

• The trunk is the feature. Bark peels each summer to a chalky white finish, so the tree carries a garden year round without relying on flowers.
• Cold and dry both suit it. Frost hardy, drought tolerant and productive in poor soil, which covers most tableland and inland gardens.
• It feeds birds and bees. Cream flowers bring honeyeaters, native bees and butterflies through the flowering season.
• A sensible mature size. About 12m tall and 8m across in cultivation, large but manageable on a generous block.

Where it works best

Shade over lawn or paddock. The canopy gives filtered shade rather than dense shadow, so grass keeps growing beneath it. Allow 8m of clear space around each tree.

Driveways and avenues. Plant 8m to 10m apart along a long drive so the canopies meet without crowding, and keep trees at least 5m back from paving and services.

Windbreaks and feature planting. A staggered double row at 8m spacing filters wind across an exposed block. A single tree in open lawn shows the trunk to best effect.

Growing Brittle Gum in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, always. It belongs in cool temperate, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi-arid gardens, and established trees take hard frost. Humid tropical gardens are not its country.

Soil. Free draining ground is the only real requirement. Shallow, gravelly and poor soils are handled well. Avoid sites that stay wet through winter.

Water and feed. Deep water weekly through the first two summers to build the root system, then leave it to rainfall in most districts. Feeding is rarely needed, and a low phosphorus native fertiliser is the only safe choice if growth stalls.

Pruning. Formative pruning over the first three years sets a single clean leader and lifts the canopy. After that, remove only dead or crossing wood, ideally in late summer.

What to expect when it arrives

It comes in three sizes: a pack of three 250mm pots, a single 400mm plant, and a 100L specimen. The 250mm and 400mm trees are young and slender, and they establish quickly because the root system is still compact. The 100L arrives as a tree with real height and a formed trunk.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Stake young trees against wind for their first two years, and expect the pale trunk to develop from about the third summer. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse Australian native trees
• Choosing canopy trees for real shade
• Plants for windbreaks and shelterbelts
• Trees for lining a driveway

Common questions

How close to the house can I plant it?

Keep it 8m to 10m away, and well clear of paving and services. The canopy spreads to about 8m, and like most large eucalypts it sheds bark and the occasional limb as it ages.

Does it really hold a white trunk?

Yes, once mature. The bark sheds through late summer to expose a smooth powdery white surface, which greys and mottles slightly before the next shed. Young trees take a few seasons to start the cycle.

Will it cope with frost?

It is frost hardy and native to cold south eastern tableland country, so established trees handle hard frost without protection. Mulch and stake young plants through their first two winters.