Eucalyptus aggregata

Eucalyptus aggregata or Black Gum (not to be confused with the Nyssa sylvatica), is a species native to Australia. It belongs to the family of swamp gums. It is a tree with a beautiful shape and an open and spreading crown that casts a light shadow. Its silhouette is elegant and graceful. The arching branches bear dense foliage in clusters of lanceolate, matte or satin green leaves. Its bark is very rough and deeply wrinkled. Its beautiful white pompon flowers are often seen during winter. It grows well in ordinary, heavy, clayey or limestone, moist soil, always in the sun. It is robust and hardy down to about -15°C (5 °F).

Eucalyptus aggregata is an endemic species of southeastern Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria, excluding Tasmania. Like all Eucalyptus, it belongs to the myrtle family. Its growth rate is moderate for a Eucalyptus, around 1m (3 ft 4 in) to 1.5m (4 ft 11 in) per year. It eventually forms an elegant tree with a rounded crown measuring about 15m (49 ft 2 in) in height, not more than 20m (65 ft 7 in), with a spread of 8m, depending on the growing conditions. Its bark is brown and rough. The juvenile leaves are bronze and then turn dark green. The adult leaves are pendulous, larger, thinner, and thicker, and lanceolate in shape, measuring up to 13cm (5.1 in). They have a dull, matte, or satin green colour. When crushed, the foliage emits a typical Eucalyptus scent. Flowering occurs from November to May, depending on the climate and the year, typically in February-March. The flowers are grouped in clusters of 3 at the axil of the leaves. This eucalyptus has a lignotuber just below the surface of the soil. This organ allows it to regrow from the stump in case of severe frost, fire, or hard pruning. The plant also produces numerous shoots from dormant buds located under its bark, which allows it to respond very well to coppicing and pollarding.

Eucalyptus aggregata is a beautiful tree to plant in isolation. It brings an elegant and poetic touch to the garden and provides good firewood. If necessary, it can be planted in marshy soil for drainage purposes. It is easy to maintain and can be easily contained through pruning. Finally, it is an ornamental plant at all stages of its growth, both as a young plant and as an adult. It is undemanding in terms of soil, tolerating clay and some limestone.