Pink Gum

Pink Gum (Eucalyptus fasciculosa) is a shade tree for the dry, hungry parts of the country. It reaches around 10m tall and 6m across, with smooth bark that sheds to pink and salmon over grey, and it holds form on sandy, gravelly ground where most trees struggle. Cream flowers through the warmer months feed honeyeaters and native bees.

Why you'll love it

• Bark worth planting for. The smooth trunk peels in ribbons to pink and salmon tones, so the tree is a feature well out of flower.
• It accepts poor soil. A South Australian and western Victorian species from thin sandy country, so shallow, stony ground suits it.
• Frost hardy and drought tolerant. Cold nights and long dry spells are ordinary conditions for it once the roots are down.
• Shade at a sensible scale. About 10m casts genuine shade without the reach of a river red gum, and it shrugs off heat and wind.

Where it works best

Shade tree. A single specimen in lawn or paddock, set at least 6m clear of buildings and driveways so the crown can spread properly.

Windbreak. Plant 6m to 8m apart in a row along an exposed boundary, close enough to filter wind and far enough for each crown to fill out.

Feature planting. Grouped in threes on a large block, the pink trunks earn their keep where afternoon light reaches them.

Growing Pink Gum in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, always. It is at home in warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi-arid gardens, and it is frost hardy, so inland and southern districts pose no problem. Humid tropical gardens are the wrong fit for a dry country eucalypt.

Soil. Drainage matters far more than fertility, and sandy, gravelly and stony soils are ideal. On heavy clay, plant on a mound 200mm to 300mm above the surrounding level, and keep 75mm of mulch clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak once a week through the first two summers, then let the tree find its own water. Feeding is rarely needed. If growth stalls, use a low phosphorus native fertiliser in early spring.

Pruning. Formative only. Remove competing leaders in the first few years to build one strong trunk, then lift the lower limbs once the canopy is high enough to walk under.

What to expect when it arrives

Pink Gum is grown here in a single size, a 45L pot. It arrives as an established young tree with a formed trunk, which is the practical size for a eucalypt: big enough to hold its own in open ground, young enough that the roots settle quickly.

Expect a quiet few weeks, then steady extension once the soil warms. Growth is moderate rather than quick, so plan on several seasons before it throws real shade. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the wider Australian native tree range.
• Compare options in plants for windbreaks.
• Read up on plants that thrive in poor soil.
• See more canopy trees that create real shade.

Common questions

How far from the house should I plant it?

Allow at least 6m from buildings, paving and services. The crown spreads to around 6m and eucalypt roots range well beyond the drip line in dry soil.

Will it handle frost inland?

Yes. It is frost hardy and native to districts that frost regularly. Guard the trunk of a new tree through its first winter, then leave it be.

How fast does it grow?

Moderately. Expect useful height across three or four seasons with a little summer water, then a slower thickening phase as the canopy builds.

Is it suitable for a suburban backyard?

Only a generous one. At 10m by 6m it suits acreage, rural blocks and large gardens rather than a courtyard or narrow side boundary.