Red River Gum tree (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) is a medium sized, riverine tree from the family Myrtaceae. It grows up to 20 m tall , some specimens are recorded to reach 45 m in height.
🌿This species is native to Australia and is quite widespread.
🌿The bark is smooth white or cream-coloured with patches of yellow or brown. There are often loose, rough slabs of bark near the base.
🌿The juvenile leaves are lance-shaped, while adult leaves are lance-shaped to curved, their colour is dull green or greyish green on both sides.
🌿The flower buds are arranged in groups of seven, nine or sometimes eleven, in leaf axils . The flowers are creamish white with numerous stamens. Flowering occurs around summer months.
🌿The fruit is a woody, hemispherical capsule.
🌿The limbs of river red gums, sometimes whole trees, often fall without warning so that camping or picnicking near them is dangerous, especially if a tree has dead limbs or the tree is under stress.
🌿Red gum is so named for its brilliant red wood, which can range from a light pink through red to almost black, depending on the age and weathering. It is somewhat brittle and is often cross-grained, making hand working difficult. Traditionally used in rot resistant applications like stumps, fence posts and sleepers, more recently it has been recognised in craft furniture for its spectacular deep red colour and typical fiddleback figure. It needs careful selection, as it tends to be quite reactive to changes in humidity.
🌿The speed of growth of the tree makes it a useful plantation timber.
🌿Apiarists also use the tree’s flowers for honey production.
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