Angophora costata – Sydney Red Gum

The Sydney Red Gum ( Angophora costata ) is a native, medium – large evergreen tree that is found in eastern parts of Australia. This species can grow up to around 25 metres and gets its common name from the pink to rusty colour that can be found once its smooth greyish bark has shed in spring.

Angophora costata is tolerant of coastal areas and is drought hardy once established and grows naturally in sandy soils and on stony ridges. Other common names for the Sydney Red Gum are Rusty Gum and Smooth Barked Apple Tree.

Growth

The Sydney Red Gum averages in height between 15 and 25 metres tall and has somewhat twisted looking branches. The leaves are long and thin and start out a red colour, then mature to green, they are approximately 10-15 cm’s in length and 2-3 cm’s wide. This species has white flowers that are abundantly on show during the summer. Can be grown in poor quality soils and mildly salty soils.

Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.

 

FAMILY:

Myrtaceae

CLIMATE:

Temperate, Dry and Sub Tropical

TEMPERATURE RANGE:

0 to 40°C / 32 to 104°F

SOIL TYPE:

Well-draining sandy soil

LOCATION:

Full Sun

HEIGHT:

Up to 25 metres (82 feet)

WIDTH:

Up to 15 metres (49 feet)

pH:

5.5-6.5

GROWTH TYPE:

Evergreen.

WATER REQUIREMENTS:

Minimal – Drought tolerant.

POLLINATION:

Bees and insects. Flowers which are bisexual (containing both male and female parts).

MATURITY:

10 years

GERMINATION RATES:

79-87%

GERMINATION TIME:

3-4 weeks, dependent on conditions

GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:

Reasonably Easy

SEEDS PER GRAM:

Approximately 50

MEDICINAL QUALITIES:

No

WEED POTENTIAL:

No

EDIBLE:

No

SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:

Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 2-3 years.

 

FACTS ABOUT ANGOPHORA COSTATA (Sydney Red Gum)

The Sydney Red Gum is prized as an ornamental due to the varying colouring in its trunk.

Sydney Red Gums are native to coastal regions of New South Wales and south-east Queensland, Australia.

Angophora Reserve in the Sydney suburb of Avalon was named after one giant Sydney Red Gum tree that reportedly lived to around 300 years of age, sadly the tree has since died but the reserve original purpose was to preserve the tree.