Large Fruited Yellow Gum

Large Fruited Yellow Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon 'Megalocarpa') is a gum tree sized for a suburban block. It settles at around 6m tall and 4m wide, giving a proper canopy and smooth pale bark. The flowering sets it apart: large pink to red blooms through the cooler months, followed by oversized gumnuts. Honeyeaters and lorikeets work it hard in flower.

Why you'll love it

• A gum that fits the yard. Shade and character where a full sized eucalypt would be a liability.
• Flowers when little else does. The blooms carry through the cooler months, when the garden is otherwise quiet.
• Oversized gumnuts. The fruit is unusually large, which is where the name comes from.
• Tough where it counts. Frost hardy, drought tolerant, wind tolerant, heat tolerant and content in poor soil once the roots are away.

Where it works best

Feature and shade tree. A single specimen in a lawn or front garden carries the space, with an open canopy that casts usable shade.

Driveways and avenues. Allow 5m to 6m between trees so each canopy keeps its shape.

Windbreaks and coastal blocks. Wind tolerance and poor soil tolerance suit an exposed boundary or a rural driveway on unimproved ground.

Growing Large Fruited Yellow Gum in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, always. A South Eastern Australian tree, at home in warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid districts, and it grows well in the drier subtropics. Frost hardy once established, but not a tree for the wet tropics or ground that stays damp.

Soil. Not fussy about type, provided it drains. Sandy, gravelly and shallow soils are fine. Avoid low spots that hold water, and do not enrich the planting hole, since a hard fed young gum grows soft, top heavy wood.

Water and feed. Deep soak weekly through the first two summers, then leave it to the weather. Feeding is largely unnecessary; if growth is poor, one application of low phosphorus native fertiliser in early spring is enough.

Pruning. Very little is needed. Remove the lowest branches over the first few years if you want clearance, and take out narrow forked leaders early, because a tight fork is the weak point in every gum.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in 200mm packs of six, 250mm packs of three, single 300mm and 400mm pots, and 45L. The packs suit a driveway line or shelter belt, because gums establish quickly from small stock and a young tree usually outgrows a larger one planted at the same time. The 300mm, 400mm and 45L plants give standing height on day one.

Trees 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. Expect a settling month, then strong growth through the first warm season. Stake loosely and only on an exposed site, because a young gum needs to flex to build trunk strength. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full Australian native tree range
• Compare feature trees for a front garden
• Choosing trees to line a driveway

Common questions

How close to the house can I plant it?

Allow at least 5m from a building and from paving. That gives the canopy room and keeps limb drop, which every gum does eventually, away from the roof.

Does it handle frost?

Yes, once established, which is why it suits cool temperate and inland gardens. Protect young trees through their first winter in a hard frosting district.

When does it flower?

Mainly through the cooler months. Young trees usually need two to three years in the ground before the first proper flowering.