Many are found in other areas whilst some are rare and confined to the Northern Tablelands. This time we will describe a few local eucalypts. Some are widespread while a few are found only in our region.

Eucalyptus prava, the orange gum, is widespread in the north of the state as well as southern Queensland.

The orange gum will reach a height of 15 metres, often with a twisted trunk. The bark is smooth bark with blotches of grey, grey-brown and orange. In spring, large flakes are shed and at this time the orange colour is prominent (hence the common name). The flowers are held in clusters of seven and are large, white and full of nectar.

They are conspicuous during the November to January flowering period. Blooms are followed by hemispherical gumnuts.

The orange gum could be grown as a specimen tree in the middle of a large lawn or used in rural shelterbelts and windbreaks.

Eucalyptus michaeliana, the Hillgrove gum, will grow into a large tree reaching a height of 30 metres. The single trunk has smooth bark that is white or grey and is shed in flakes usually during spring. Flowers are held in large clusters, white, at least one centimetre across and appear from August to October. The gumnuts are cup-shaped.

The Hillgrove gum is a beautiful tree that is probably too large for suburban gardens but perfectly at home on rural properties.

Eucalyptus michaeliana is classified as rare as it occurs in small, scattered populations. One of the species strongholds is the Hillgrove area, west of Armidale (hence the common name). The Hillgrove gum is one of the dominant trees along the Long Point Road.

Eucalyptus boliviana, the Bolivia stringybark, is another rare species with very limited distribution. The Bolivia stringybark is found in the Bolivia Hill Nature Reserve, north of Glen Innes.

Eucalyptus boliviana will develop into either a single-trunked tree reaching a height of 12 metres or a five metre, multi-stemmed mallee. This mallee growth habit is probably triggered by bushfires and usually occurs in the wild. Cultivated plants will usually have a single trunk.

Branches are square, dull green with a whitish bloom. Leaves are up to 16 centimetres long, glossy green and leathery. The buds are an unusual shape. They are spindle-shaped, wide in the middle and tapered at both ends. They are carried in clusters of three to seven. The large flowers are cream and appear in winter and spring. The flowers are followed by large funnel-shaped, hemispherical gum nuts.

This rare and unusual eucalypt is coming into cultivation thanks to the efforts of the Armidale Tree Group. The Bolivia stringybark has proved to be hardy and free flowering in cultivation.

These are just three of our local eucalypts. We shall return to this topic in the future.