DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES
Southern Blue Gum
| (Eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulus) Product: Wood Use: Firewood &/or pulp Firewood: Most Eucalypts are not disadvantaged by the lack of soil fertility, tendency to waterlogging and acid soils common to North East Victoria, as they are said to have evolved under these relatively poor soil conditions. Furthermore, moderately high rainfall (particularly to the south and east of the Hume Freeway) and the fairly low incidence of frost, make the environment in this catchment ideal for Eucalyptus species grown in managed plantations for firewood. Plantation timber can also make an excellent contribution to salinity control in this catchment. |  Blue Gum (source: DPI, Tatura). |
The Goulburn Broken catchment is within a reasonable distance of major markets. There is an increasing demand for firewood in Melbourne and regional centres. Burning it for heating has been applauded by 'Choice' magazine for its economy and comparatively low contribution to the greenhouse gas effect.
Pulpwood:
Blue Gum, Eucalyptus globulus, has been successfully grown in the high rainfall areas of the catchment for many years. In particular, it was selected by Landcare groups as being the fastest growing timber for planting in break-of-slope discharge areas, as a mechanism for combating dryland salinisation in streams in the upper catchment. This species is also particularly suited to production of pulpwood.
Key markets have opened up for pulpwood in Japan in recent years and growth in China is expected to be very large. At least two companies are offering long term leases of around 20 years to landholders to have the use of their land to grow Blue Gums for pulp production. The rate of the lease is dependent on the distance from the processing site, or in the case of one, a maximum distance of 150 km from the Port of Geelong has been set.
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This map of biophysical suitability for Southern Blue Gum has been developed by the Centre for Land Protection Research, DPI. It applies to the dryland parts of the Goulburn Broken region. The map has been developed using the Most Limiting Factor method. The factors and critical values used for determining the biophysical suitability are shown in the table below. Please refer to Important Notes about these maps. |
Factors and critical values used for determining the biophysical suitability for southern blue gum:
FACTOR | CRITICAL VALUE | ||
High probability of being suitable | Moderate probability of being suitable | Low probability of being suitable | |
| CLIMATE | |||
| Average annual number of frosts | < 25 | 25 - 40 | > 40 |
| Average annual rainfall (mm) | > 800 | 700 - 800 | < 700 |
| Average maximum temperature of hottest month (oC) | 23 - 27 | 27 - 29 | < 23 and > 29 |
| Average minimum temperature of coldest month (oC) | > 3 | 2 - 3 | < 2 |
| LANDSCAPE | |||
| Elevation (m) ASL | 0 - 450 | 450 - 600 | > 600 |
| Slope (%) | < 32 | 32 - 58 | > 58 |
| SOIL | |||
| Useable soil depth (cm) | > 100 | 80 - 100 | < 80 |
© The State of Victoria, 1996 - 2009.
This document was last reviewed on 16/12/2008