Indonesian Gum, scientifically known as Eucalyptus deglupta, is a breathtaking tropical tree native to the moist, humid forests of New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Philippine Islands. This fast-growing evergreen reaches extraordinary heights of 100 to 250 feet in its native habitat, making it one of the most impressive trees you can grow in USDA Zones 10-11. It holds a remarkable distinction as the only eucalyptus species indigenous to the northern hemisphere, and its seasonal showy flowers add striking beauty to tropical and subtropical landscapes.
Full Sun
Moderate
10-11
3000in H x 1500in W
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Low
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This towering broadleaved evergreen commands attention with its dramatic scale and robust growth habit, thriving in the warm, humid climates where most other eucalyptus struggle. Outside its native tropical rainforests, it typically reaches 40 to 80 feet tall with a trunk diameter up to 6 feet, still an impressive presence in any landscape. The tree thrives in full sun and moderately moist soils, requiring minimal ongoing maintenance once established, and produces no serious insect or disease problems that would complicate its care.
Indonesian Gum serves as an excellent shade tree, providing substantial canopy coverage in tropical and subtropical settings. Its imposing stature and evergreen foliage make it equally valuable as a street tree, offering year-round visual interest and environmental benefits in warm-climate urban landscapes.
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“Eucalyptus deglupta originates from the moist tropical forested regions of New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Philippine Islands, where it evolved to thrive in high-rainfall environments. Its journey beyond its native range represents a remarkable botanical achievement: it became the first and only eucalyptus species to successfully establish itself as a species native to the northern hemisphere. The tree was named 'Mindanao gum' after the Philippine island of Mindanao, reflecting its significance in that region's forests. Its introduction to cultivation outside the tropics reveals how gardeners and botanists recognized its potential as both a shade and street tree, even in climates far removed from its rainforest origins.”