Eucalyptus sideroxylon is a tall, single-trunked, evergreen tree with black deeply fissured bark on trunk and branches.
The leaves are a bluish grey colour on both sides and lanceolate to falcate in shape. When the sun is shining on the leaves the contrast between the dark bark and bluish leaves is quite stunning.
Clusters of fluffy polystemenous flowers are produced during winter. The flower colour varies with the form and vary from creamy white to pale pink to a deep rosy crimson
The most attractive form is Eucalyptus sideroxylon'Rosea' with its rosy crimson flowers.
These are tough trees, they will tolerate 2nd line salt, wind, neglect, pollution and once established drought and moderate frosts. Need full sun and will tolerate the harsh western sun.
These are often used as street trees around Sydney but are equally successful in medium to larger gardens where they can be used for shade, as a screen or windbreak and as colour contrast in a native garden
The foliage is used for extraction of volatile oils.