Eucalyptus Tricarpa - Red Ironbark

Eucalyptus tricarpa is a medium-sized tree known for its striking, deeply furrowed dark bark and rich reddish timber. It's a native Australian species, commonly found in southeastern parts of the country, especially in Victoria and New South Wales.

It's highly valued in Australia and internationally for its durability, strength, and rich coloration. It is classified as one of the hardest timbers in the world - its Janka hardness rating is around 14.0 kN (kilo newtons). For comparison Radiata pine is around 3kN!

🌳 Height:
10 to 25 meters 

🌿 Width:
5 to 15 meters - depending on growing conditions

🔧 Uses:

• Durable timber (construction, flooring, firewood, fence posts)
• Ornamental tree in large landscapes
• Habitat for birds, bees, and other native fauna
• Windbreak or shelterbelt
• Carbon farming and revegetation projects
• Valuable in fire-prone areas due to fire-resistant bark

🌱 Ideal growing conditions:

• Full sun
• Well-drained soils (sandy loams, clay-loams)
• Dry sclerophyll forests and open woodlands
• Suited to low to moderate altitudes

💪 Tolerates:

• Nutrient-poor soils
• Moderate winds
• Occasional dry spells
• Fire (due to thick ironbark)

💧 Drought hardy:
Yes – moderately drought-tolerant once established

❄️ Frost tolerant:
Yes – tolerates light to moderate frost

🧂 Salt tolerant:
Low – not well-suited to saline conditions