Eucalyptus gunnii (Cider Gum) Plants for Sale UK

What is Eucalyptus gunnii?

Eucalyptus gunnii, often called cider gum, is an evergreen tree from Tasmania. Young plants have rounded, silver-blue leaves, often cut for flower arrangements. As the tree matures, the foliage changes to longer, slender, grey-green leaves, and the bark peels to reveal cream, grey and brown patches.

Without pruning, cider gum can grow well over 15 metres tall. In smaller gardens, regular coppicing can maintain a shrubby shape and encourage fresh growth with rounded, silver-blue leaves. Pruning needs to continue as the plant matures.

Why choose Eucalyptus gunnii?

Cider gum keeps its foliage throughout the year, with aromatic leaves and bark that peels to expose patches of cream, grey and brown. Its rounded young leaves are useful for flower arranging, while the mature tree develops a striking trunk. Once established, it can put on substantial growth each season.

Regular coppicing can make cider gum suitable for a spacious mixed border, where several leafy stems can grow from a low framework. It can also be trained as a multi-stem tree. Allow room for the growth between pruning sessions, particularly as the plant becomes established.

Eventual height, spread and growth rate

In open ground without pruning, Eucalyptus gunnii can reach 15 to 25 metres tall with a spread of 8 to 12 metres. Once established, it can produce around 1 to 1.5 metres of new growth a year in favourable conditions, although the rate varies with soil, weather and pruning.

Annual coppicing or pollarding can help maintain a height of around 1.5 to 2.5 metres, depending on growing conditions and the strength of the regrowth. Cutting back established stems encourages new shoots with rounded juvenile leaves. Begin managing its height while it is young, as reducing a mature tree is a much bigger job.

Using Eucalyptus gunnii in the garden

Give cider gum plenty of space and it can develop into a tall specimen tree with attractive peeling bark. In milder, sheltered gardens, it can also contribute to a planted windbreak. Coppicing creates a bushier plant for a sunny border, with young silver-blue stems that can be cut for indoor arrangements.

Plant it well away from buildings, drains and boundary walls. Allow plenty of room for the mature root system and crown, particularly near buildings, drains and walls. For a low screen that needs little pruning, a naturally smaller shrub is a more practical choice.

Choosing a size

Our Eucalyptus gunnii is supplied as one young plant, 20-30cm tall, in a 9cm pot. At this stage, you can begin training it as a single-stem tree or allow several stems to develop for future coppicing. The available size and its planting use are shown below.

Eucalyptus roots can become congested in small pots, so plant your young cider gum in its final position or move it into a larger pot when conditions allow. Avoid leaving it in its original 9cm pot for an extended period.

When and how to plant

Spring or early summer is a good time to plant cider gum, once the soil has warmed and the risk of hard frost has passed. The roots then have time to establish before their first winter outdoors. Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and the same depth. Soak the rootball before planting, set the plant at the original soil level, backfill firmly and water thoroughly.

Choose a spot in full sun with shelter from strong winds, particularly while the plant is young. Avoid low-lying ground where water sits after rain. Keep grass and weeds clear of the base, and spread a mulch of bark or leaf mould to hold moisture, leaving the stem clear.

Watering and feeding

Keep the rootball and surrounding soil evenly moist through the first growing season, especially during dry spells. Once established, Eucalyptus gunnii can tolerate some drought, although prolonged dryness may slow growth. Check the soil before watering rather than leaving the roots continually wet.

Apply well-rotted compost as a mulch in spring to improve the soil and conserve moisture. If the soil is particularly poor or sandy, a balanced granular fertiliser in April can support new growth. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds late in the season, which can produce soft shoots vulnerable to frost.

Pruning and trimming calendar

For a bushy plant with rounded, silver-blue leaves, coppice established cider gum in early spring by cutting stems back near the base. Pollarding involves cutting back to an established framework higher up the plant. Both methods encourage juvenile foliage, although the resulting height and shape will differ.

If you want a single-trunk tree, gradually remove selected lower branches as it develops, keeping enough foliage to support healthy growth. Remove dead, damaged or crossing branches when conditions are suitable, and inspect the crown after strong winds. Leave work on large or difficult branches to a qualified arborist.

Use this seasonal guide to plan coppicing and care for the new shoots as they grow.