Eucalypts – gum trees, whatever you like to call them – are icons of the Australian landscape. They define our horizons, scent the air after rain and shape the character of bush and backyard alike.
Did you know Australia even has a national day dedicated to them? National Eucalypt Day is held annually on 23 March to celebrate, promote and conserve the country’s eucalypts. This year’s theme, “Our Eucalypt Home,” feels especially fitting.
Australia is home to more than 800 species of eucalypt. They grow across an extraordinary range of environments – from snow-capped mountain ranges to sandy coastlines, from fertile valleys to arid inland plains. Few plant groups are as adaptable or as distinctly Australian.
Beyond their beauty and generous shade, eucalypts are culturally and environmentally significant. They underpin entire ecosystems.
During the day, their blossoms are alive with activity. Rainbow lorikeets feast on nectar, filling the canopy with colour and chatter. Native bees gather pollen for honey production, while insects drawn to the flowers become food for insect-eating birds and microbats.
After dark, the same trees continue to sustain life. Possums, gliders and bats feed on nectar and lerps. And of course, koalas rely on gum leaves as a primary food source. A single flowering tree can support dozens of species across a 24-hour cycle.
As eucalypts age, they become even more valuable. Very old trees develop hollows – a process that can take well over a century. These hollows provide critical nesting and shelter sites for parrots, owls, cockatoos, gliders and other wildlife. In urban areas, however, mature trees with hollows are often removed for development or safety reasons, leaving many native species without homes.
One practical way to help is by installing a nest box in your garden. There are many designs available, suited to different species. With the right placement and a little patience, you may soon find a feathered or furry resident taking up occupancy.
If you’d like to learn more about local eucalypt species, habitat value or selecting the right nest box for your space, call in to Mooloolah River Landcare. The team is always happy to talk all things eucalypt – and how we can better care for the trees that care for us.
Mooloolah River Landcare is located at 2671 Steve Irwin Wy, Glenview
