Sick Gum Trees

One of the most popular native trees in Australia through the 70s and 80s was the Wallangarra white gum (Eucalyptus scoparia). It is an attractive small tree to 12m (40′) tall, with slender weeping branches and smooth, powdery white bark often blotched with grey. The natural distribution of this species is very restricted – it grows in clefts in granite outcrops in the Wallangarra district on the Queensland/New South Wales border, where there is perfect drainage.

Mystery disease

Mature specimens of Eucalyptus scoparia growing in wet coastal areas like Sydney are suffering some kind of rust or root disease. The jury is still out on the exact cause of the problem, and until we know more it’s probably best not to plant these trees in moist coastal areas in case they die and fall on people or property. On the other hand if you live in a drier area with good drainage the Wallangara White Gum or Eucalyptus scoparia is a beautiful tree to plant in your garden.