Eucalyptus marginata ( Jarrah Eucalyptus ) is an evergreen tree native to the south-western regions of Western Australia. Jarrah is grown mainly for its distinctive dark honey and insect resistant timber. From Spring until Summer this species attracts bees and birds with their clusters of small white flowers. Jarrah also makes an excellent firewood and has been used to treat snake bites, fevers and headaches.
Suitable for Temperate, Mediterranean and Sub-Tropical climates.
Although Jarrah helps make a delicious dark honey it is the wood that is the primary attraction of this tree. The timber is a deep red colour with an impressive grain and is termite resistant. Jarrah is widely used in decking, flooring, outdoor furniture, railway sleepers and cabinet making. Freshly harvested the wood is quite flexible and easy to work with but once it has been seasoned, is so strong that most tools are
One of the most common uses of Jarrah is actually in the garden. Many landscapers use Jarrah as garden edging because of its durability and flexibility. The ability to bend the wood provides the landscaper the option to add an elegant curve to garden beds.
Jarrah Eucalyptus is also called Swan River Mahogany and locally known as Djarraly. This species is an integral part of the eco-systems in the south-west of Western Australia. Jarrah provides food for birds and bees while it flowers and when it hollows and falls offers shelter to marsupials and ground animals.
Growth
Eucalyptus marginata is an Australian eucalyptus tree that grows to heights of up to 40 metres (131 feet). Mature trees have a deep root system that can extend as far down as it grows high. These root systems are best catered for by growing young plants in forestry or native tubes (pots). To begin with, seeds are soaked and then surface sown on top of seed raising mix, often in seed trays. Jarrah seeds sprout in a few weeks and can grow quite quickly. Once they are big enough to handle they are moved into the forestry tubes where they are allowed to develop until after winter. After all frost has disappeared seedlings are then transplanted into the ground.
White flowers appear on trees from around five years old and bloom throughout spring and summer.
FAMILY:
Myrtaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Temperate, Sub Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-5 to 25°C / 23 to 77°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining soil.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 40 metres (131 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 8 metres (25 feet)
pH:
5.5-6.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low
POLLINATION:
Bees.
MATURITY:
10-15 years
GERMINATION RATES:
82%
GERMINATION TIME:
Soak for 24 hours and then 2-4 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 70
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT EUCALYPTUS MARGINATA (Jarrah)
Towering forests of Jarrah can be found from the Albany region on the south coast to Gingin north of Perth.
Leaves of Jarrah trees were crushed and used as an antibacterial poultice, held under the nose to relieve nasal congestion or eaten to relieve dysentery.
FACTS ABOUT EUCALYPTUS IN GENERAL
Every year Eucalyptus trees add a new layer of bark and the outmost layer dies and peels off.
Eucalyptus trees make up around 75% of Australia’s forests and have adapted to the seasonal bushfires with the ability to re-sprout directly after a fire.
This refers to the operulum covering over the flower buds during spring and summer.
During Captain Cook’s third voyage to Australia in 1777, David Nelson collected the first Eucalyptus specimen to reach Europe. Eucalyptus trees in Australia take up an area bigger than New South Wales and over seven times the size of England.
The majority of Eucalyptus species do well in a wide range of climates and most can withstand a light frost of −5 °C (23 °F).
