Lemon-scentedGum is one of the most popular Australian trees grown in Melbourne.Originating from a very restricted area in Queensland on the Tropic ofCapricorn, Lemon-scented Gum has grown very well on many Melbournesites. This tree is typified by its tall, upright habit, long elegantfoliage, and smooth grey bark. Further, the lemon-scented foliage andflowers are of great interest throughout the year.
C. citriodora seems to grow onmost sites in Melbourne. It is tolerant of dry, sandy sites, seems totolerate moist, high-clay-fraction locations, and grows rapidly bothwith and without water. Occasionally it may be troubled by lerp, but isnot badly affected at any time.
C. citriodora is intolerant of frost when young, and trees less than 1m tall can be badly affected in northern and highland areas.
There are no selections of
C. citriodora currently available, although performance with this tree may vary; this results from interbreeding between
C. citriodora and the closely related
C. maculata (Spotted Gum). Frequently trees with strongly-spotted trunks may grow in a seedling tray of
C. citriodora,showing the obvious hybridisation between these two species. To assurebest growth and true-to-type plants, Metropolitan Tree Growers areusing seed from the CSIRO orchard, located in Castle Hill NSW.
Typical mature height: to 20m in Melbourne
Useful in: avenues, parks
Sites for best growth: most soil types, full sun
