Common Name: Cadaga

General Information

Corymbia torelliana is an evergreen tree with a dense, irregular crown; it can grow from 20 - 30 metres tall. The bole is usually straight, up to 65% the total height of the tree and up to 100cm in diameter. Larger trees can develop buttresses towards the base[, , , ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood. It is cultivated as a plantation crop for wood in several tropical countries and is also used in reforestation projects[]. It is popular as a quick-growing garden and landscaping tree in parts of Australia[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - eastern Queensland.

Habitat

In and around tropical rain forest on slopes of coastal areas; at elevations from 100 - 800 metres[, ]. Well-drained soils on slopes in wet sclerophyll forest and the margin of rainforest patches[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Corymbia torelliana is native to the moist, tropical lowland climate of northeastern Australia, where it is found at elevations from 100 - 800 metres. Rainfall occurs in the hot season, with a mean annual rainfall within the range 1,000 - 1,500mm and a dry season that is not usually severe of up to 3 months. The mean maximum temperature of the hottest month is 29°c; mean minimum temperature of the coldest month is 10 - 16°c, and there are usually no frosts or very occasional light frosts[, ]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -2°c, but young growth is more tender and can be severely damaged at -1°c[].
Requires a sunny position, succeeding in a range of light to medium-textured, well-drained soils of low to moderate fertility[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7, tolerating 5.5 - 7.5[].
Corymbia torelliana is often grown as an ornamental outside its native range in eastern Australia. It has spread from cultivation into disturbed and relatively undisturbed areas of rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest, where it seems to compete very successfully with local species. It is an acknowledged environmental weed in the greater Brisbane area[].
The tree is windfirm[].
This species hybridizes rather readily with other bloodwoods and F1 hybrids made with a light crowned species may improve the ability of the light-crowned species to shade out undergrowth[].
Whilst most Corymbia species, grown in small numbers outside their native range, can be an attractive and useful addition to the landscape, certain species (including this one) are more problematic. When grown in monocultures, especially outside their native range, they can become an environmental disaster. They are voracious, especially in their use of water; they are allelopathic, inhibiting the growth of the native flora; they reduce habitats for native fauna; and encourage the worst possible attitudes to land use and conservation[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The crown of this species is probably the most dense crown of all the eucalypts. The species will shade out most undergrowth in plantations in suitable areas. The dense crown droops down at the edges of plantations and touches the ground, sweeping it when the wind blows. There are good production plantations in their own right in Queensland and the species may find a useful place in tropical forestry[].
The tree might be suitable for reforestation and as a shade tree[].

Other Uses

A small quantity of essential oil is obtained from the leaves. Total quantity of the oil, and its composition, can vary widely from plant to plant, but we have reports that the fresh leaves contain around 0.3% (0.3% dry weight) essential oil. The main component is alpha-pinene (around 54%)[].

The light to chocolate-brown wood is hard, strong and durable so long as it is not in contact with the ground. It is subject to gum veins, but is still used locally for general construction, vehicle bodies, bridge deckings etc[, , , ].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in a seedtray in a sunny position and do not allow the compost to dry out[, , ]. Species that come from high altitudes appreciate 6 - 8 weeks cold stratification at 2°c[]. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as the second set of seed leaves has developed, if left longer than this they might not move well. Seedlings are planted out in the field when they reach a height of about 25 cm. This should coincide with the onset of the rainy season in tropical countries[].
The seed has a long viability[].

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