Originating from the Eyre Peninsula and Kangaroo Island, Sugar Gum is a tough, adaptable species that performs well in medium to low rainfall zones.

The common name came from early colonists noting livestock eating the sweet tasting juvenile leaves in times of drought. It produces a very dense, durable and termite resistant hardwood that is suited to structural applications, furniture, fence posts and is particularly renowned for firewood.

As it has a Class 1 durability rating, it will last in ground for 25 years untreated. It is a particularly hardy species and it grows back readily with multiple stems when cut down – a practice known as coppicing.

Sugar gum is considered one of the best eucalyptus for coppicing, providing the opportunity for many harvests from one planting.