The River Red gum is a massive tree, growing over 100' tall with huge trunk. Generally planted along freeways, not recommended for residential areas as it tends to shed branches in minor winds, and there is a ton of litter.
Massive tree at Cal Poly SLO.
Bluish green leaves, alternate adults, lance shape. 4-8" long,
Flowers white or yellowish, clusters of 7, about 1" diameter.
Flower buds are always key in identification of Eucalyptus and these have a very long and pointed cap.
Fruit is a capsule, smallish, less than 1/2", with valves beyond the ring.
Bark is very attractive, multicolored, white, brown, green and exfoliating.
Misidentification:
Foliage is less curved than many others, more blue green, and the bark is very much mottled.
From what I have read online there are 3 subspecies and the flower buds are not the same on two of them and the bark is also different, so its pretty foggy but my guess is we have the "normal" subspecies.
Location:
Watsonville
Highway 1 at the south bound Main St exit, between the highway and the exit
Highway 1 on the north bound entrance off Airport Rd.
