Eucalyptus tereticornis aka Queensland Blue Gum

Eucalyptus tereticornis is a tree that stays green year-round. It belongs to Myrtaceae, the myrtle family. Common names include forest red gum and forest river gum. Its home range runs from New Guinea to eastern and southeastern Australia. There, it grows in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. It grows in open forests, often with other eucalypts. It also grows on river flats and hill slopes.

This tree grows fast and forms a large crown. The crown may be open or quite dense. One source gives a height of about 115 feet [35 metres]. The full reported range is 59–148 feet [18–45 metres]. Some trees grow taller still. The evidence gives no separate size range for garden trees. The trunk tends to grow straight. In open ground, trees may branch near the base. In forests, the bare trunk can exceed half the tree's height. Trunks can reach about 3–6 feet [1–1.8 metres] across.

The tree grows in temperate zones and the tropics. Sites range from sea level to about 5,906 feet [1,800 metres]. Native sites get about 500–2,000 millimetres of rain each year. Some have dry seasons of up to seven months. Planted trees have also thrived with 3,500 millimetres of rain each year. Wild trees grow on alluvial ground, where water has laid down soil. They also grow in soils with sand or gravel. These records show it copes with a wide range of climates. They give no firm limit for frost, though. Bees and other insects pollinate the flowers. The evidence gives no bloom season or details of the flowers.

People grow this tree for timber in tropical and subtropical lands. They plant it in Asia, Africa and the Americas. The bark and wood both contain tannins. The leaves yield essential oil, with cineole as a main part. The tree also yields kino, a red, resin-like substance. Reports list the use of resin to treat dysentery. They also list leaf-based treatments for fever and lung complaints. These reports do not show that home treatments are safe.

A sweet substance shed from the leaves has a reported food use. Records also note the use of roots as a water source. The source lists no known hazards. This does not prove it is safe for people or pets. The evidence names no pests or diseases that affect this tree. Seed needs no treatment before sowing. Keep the seed compost moist.