Sugar Gum
(Eucalyptus cladocalyx)
Product: Wood
Use: 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.
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.
| This map of biophysical suitability for Sugar 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 sugar gum:
FACTOR | CRITICAL VALUE | ||
High probability of being suitable | Moderate probability of being suitable | Low probability of being suitable | |
| CLIMATE | |||
| Average number of frosts (Sept. - Dec.) | < 15 | 15 - 20 | > 20 |
| Average annual rainfall (mm) | 600 - 1000 | 450 - 600 | < 450 |
| Average maximum temperature of hottest month (oC) | 23 - 33 | 33 - 35 | < 23 and > 35 |
| Average minimum temperature of coldest month (oC) | > 3 | 2 - 3 | < 2 |
| LANDSCAPE | |||
| Slope (%) | < 32 | 32 - 58 | > 58 |
| Site drainage | Moderately well drained (4), Well drained (5), Imperfectly drained (3) | Rapidly drained (6) | Poorly drained (2), Very poorly drained (1) |
| SOIL | |||
| Surface texture | Loam, silty loam, sandy clay loam, clayey loam, loamy sand clay, silty clay loam, light clay, clayey sand, light medium clay, medium clay, heavy clay | Fine sandy loam, Loam fine sandy, loamy sand, sand | |
| Useable soil depth (cm) | > 45 | 35 - 45 | < 35 |
© The State of Victoria, 1996 - 2009.
This document was last reviewed on 16/12/2008