The name of this species is often spelt Gmelina leichardtii. We are following the treatment in the Flora of Australia[] and A Revision of the Genus Gmelina (Lamiaceae)[], that use the spelling with two h's[].

Common Name: White Beech

General Information

White beech is a tall, semi-deciduous tree with an open, spreading crown; it usually grows up to 30 metres tall, though one specimen has been measured at 59 metres. The bole is often irregular, moderately buttressed at the base and can be 200 - 260cm in diameter. The leaves are semi-transparent in the sunlight[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its timber, which is used locally and also traded. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in parks and large gardens[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - southern coastal areas of New South Wales to coastal areas of central Queensland.

Habitat

Found on a wide range of sites from near creek banks to the side of mountains, at elevations from near sea level to 500 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the lowland, moist tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 26 - 30°c, but can tolerate 10 - 36°c[]. Mature plants can be killed by temperatures of -5°c or lower, but new growth will be severely damaged at 0°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,200 - 1,800mm, but tolerates 1,000 - 2,000mm[].
Prefers a sunny position, tolerating some shade[]. Succeeds in a wide range of moderately fertile, well-drained soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7.5[].
A moderately fast growing plant[].

Edible Uses

The bluish-purple, almost globular fruit is 11 - 20mm long and 13 - 15mm wide. We have no reports of edibility, but it is reported to have a disagreeable taste[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The heartwood is light grey-brown, the grain somewhat interlocked and soft. The wood is very durable and resistant to termites. It is easy to work, somewhat oily and hence difficult to glue, tends to rust nails and is very slow drying. It is excellent for templates, pattern making, carving and turnery. Also used for indoor joinery, flooring, cabinet and carriage work, planking of boat hulls, and in making food processing equipment[].

Propagation

Seed - remove the flesh from the seed capsule and leave the capsule in the sun to dry. Hairline cracks will form around a 'trapdoor' in the capsule and the whole capsule can then be sown. The up to 4 seeds in the capsule should germinate rapidly[].

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