Department of Environment and Heritage Protection

Koalas

Planting trees for Parks and forests help to protect habitat, but Coastal South East much of this habitat in Queensland is located on Recognised food trees Small-fruited grey gum propinqua privately-owned land outside Koalas are strictly leaf eaters. Koalas have of these areas. strong regional preferences for certain Irregular and mottled bark patches eucalypt species. In a particular district, characterise this medium to tall forest The long-term conservation of koalas may feed almost entirely on one tree. It will grow 20 to 35 metres tall on or two species. a wide range of soil types but prefers koalas will therefore depend The following trees are recognised as moist, well-drained gravelly soils with largely on private property important koala food trees in South some clay content. Flowering periods are from January to March. owners managing their land East Queensland. to retain or improve koala Red stringybark Forest Red Gum or habitat. This can include Queensland Blue Gum planting or maintaining trees This species prefers sandy or well drained soils with adequate soil that provide food and shelter This is one of the most important koala moisture. Growing 20 to 45 metres with for koalas. food trees in Queensland. Growing 20 to flowers in spring and summer, its red to 40 metres tall, this species is found grey bark is rough and fibrous. throughout coastal Queensland, mainly on alluvial flats, or other fertile soils on Other food and habitat trees hill slopes and mountains. The smooth bark is shed in irregular plates with Koalas are also regularly seen in other white, grey and bluish patches. tree species that are used either as Flowers are usually white but can be pink. a food source or provide important habitat. They may provide good shade Tallowwood and shelter or have other characteristics Eucalyptus microcorys that make them suitable for koalas. These trees also provide other benefits This species occurs in moist eucalypt such as erosion protection, food sources open forest on a range of soil types. and nesting sites for other mammals and Often found on hilly areas in fertile insect-eating birds. soils, tallowwood will grow in rather poor sand if subsoil moisture is Spotted gum adequate. The tree has creamy citriodora white flowers in late winter–spring (sometimes summer) and grows up to (previously known as Eucalyptus maculata) 40 metres tall. Its rough red-brown bark This medium to large tree (25 to 40 is soft and fibrous. metres) is found on heavy-textured, well-drained soils on slopes and ridges. Its bark has distinctive dimples and the tree flowers from March to June. #30183 October 2012

...strong environmental management supporting sustainable economic development Department of Environment and Heritage Protection

Koalas

Scribbly gum Five-veined paperbark How to grow a tree quinquenervia It is easy to grow native shrubs and (previously known as Eucalyptus signata) This tree commonly grows from 8 to 12 trees from seed: metres but can reach 25 metres. It is A small to tall forest tree, the scribbly found in coastal areas, along streams, From seed to seedling gum grows up to 20 metres and is estuary banks, marshes and seasonal found in coastal areas. Its feature First, choose seeds from a species which swamps, and likes sandy, gravelly, is distinct smooth white bark with grows naturally locally and is suited to swampy soils where ground water is scribbly patterns made by bark-boring the conditions on the property. close to the surface. The five-veined insects. It prefers clay to sandy, poorly Sieve fine, sandy loam (a type of paperbark has white to light-brown drained soils. Small white flowers soil) into a shallow plastic container. papery layers of cork bark. appear from July through to September. Put drainage holes in the bottom of The loose outer layers become torn and the container and dampen the soil. Queensland white stringybark ragged, eventually peeling off. The tree Sprinkle seeds evenly over the damp Eucalyptus tindaliae has white to cream flowers mainly from surface. Cover the seeds with a shallow The canopy of this medium-sized tree spring to autumn. layer of loam. This should be no thicker has a silvery appearance. It has rough Other species in the areas that koalas than twice the diameter of the seed. fibrous bark that covers the trunk and have been known to use include: Put the container in a tray of water branches. This species grows 20 to (which will keep the soil moist by 30 metres and flowers from February • pink bloodwood capillary action) and place in a warm, but to April. sheltered, spot. Germination takes one • broad-leaved white mahogany Queensland grey ironbark to four weeks. Protect the seedling from Eucalyptus carnea drying winds and direct midday sun. Eucalyptus siderophloia • narrow-leaved ironbark The seedling is ready to be transplanted (previously Eucalyptus drepanophylla) into a pot when a second pair of leaves Grey ironbark usually occurs in • mountain grey gum appear and the seedling is about two to sheltered valleys with alluvial soils on Eucalyptus major three centimetres tall. edges of plains. It also grows on slopes on a range of soil types. This • gum topped box Transplanting seedlings species grows to 30 metres and flowers Eucalyptus moluccana Prepare potting mix using sandy loam from winter to early summer. • narrow-leaved red gum and well rotted compost—60/40 mix Eucalyptus seeana is best—and fill medium-sized pots Broad-leaved ironbark that are at least 10 centimetres Eucalyptus fibrosa subsp. fibrosa • brush box deep. Moisten the soil and drain Lophostemon confertus This medium-sized tree grows before planting. Using a dibble (eight 20 to 30 metres tall. Found on stony, • swamp mahogany millimetre dowel stick sharpened to well-drained soils on ridges and slopes, . a fine point), remove the seedling the ironbark has black, deeply furrowed from your seed bed, gently pulling the bark (iron bark) and dull green leaves. seedling free. Make a neat hole with It flowers from April to July. the dibble in the pot soil and gently lower the seedling’s roots into the hole. Make sure the roots go straight down and are not doubled over. Firm the soil around the seedling. Form a shallow depression around the seedling and water immediately. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection

Koalas

The seedling can now continue to grow Tree planting table into a small . Keep it in a warm sheltered spot until it is ready to be Soil type ‘hardened off’ before planting out in Compiled for the Koala Coast area. Soil types in other the garden. Hardening off involves coastal areas will support many of these species. exposing the plant gradually to the conditions it will have to contend with Check with a local nursery. when planted outside. Tree Red-yellow sand to Distinctly dark red- Dark coloured clay sandy loam topsoil brown coloured loam loam to heavy clay Where to plant over a sandy to heavy to clay loam. Generally with high organic clay subsoil. The most found along the content. Poorly Natural bushland has several layers— widely occurring soil coast from Wynnum drained on coastal grasses and herbs form the ground cover, type behind the coast, to Redland Bay, also plains, especially shrubs form the understorey layer, and occurring on low hills Rochedale, Sunnybank along creeks close to eucalypts form the canopy layer. and rises. and Eight Mile Plains. sea level. Corymbia citriodora ✓ Eucalypts grow into large trees providing food and shelter for koalas Corymbia intermedia ✓ ✓ and other animals including possums, Eucalyptus carnea ✓ gliders, parrots, honeyeaters and many Eucalyptus crebra ✓ ✓ very important small insectivorous birds and spiders, essential to the E. fibrosa subsp. fibrosa ✓ well-being of the Australian bush. Eucalyptus major ✓ A mix of native trees and shrubs are best Eucalyptus microcorys ✓ planted close together (one to two metres Eucalyptus moluccana ✓ apart) to form a thicket in a corner of the ✓ yard, well away from overhead power lines and underground pipes. Allow leaf Eucalyptus racemosa ✓ ✓ litter to accumulate; over the years these Eucalyptus resinifera ✓ shrubs and trees will attract many bush Eucalyptus robusta ✓ creatures to the backyard. Eucalyptus seeana ✓ ✓ Caution Eucalyptus siderophloia ✓ ✓ Heights of eucalypts vary. Eucalyptus tereticornis ✓ ✓ ✓ Check heights of mature trees Eucalyptus tindaliae ✓ before planting. Lophostemon confertus ✓ Selecting trees for planting ✓ ✓ ✓ Trees for koalas should be selected for local soil type or landform. For best results, plant species that occur naturally (refer to table below).