{"product_id":"eucalyptus-obliqua","title":"Messmate - Eucalyptus obliqua","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrice includes everything:\u003c\/strong\u003e the plant, free delivery and professional installation by our planting team. One price, whole job done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMessmate - Eucalyptus obliqua\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first thing to understand about Messmate is scale. \u003cem\u003eEucalyptus obliqua\u003c\/em\u003e is the dominant stringybark of the wet foothill forests of Victoria, Tasmania and southeastern South Australia, reaching well over 50m in the bush and typically 20 to 30m as an open grown tree. It carries rough fibrous bark all the way to the small branches, dark glossy leaves with the distinctly uneven leaf base that gives it its botanical name, and cream flowers through summer. Plant it for revegetation, shelterbelts and large rural properties, not for suburban blocks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy Messmate\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrue Forest Scale\u003c\/strong\u003e: This is a large forest tree, and it should only be sited where 25m of height and 15m of spread are genuinely available.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFibrous Stringybark\u003c\/strong\u003e: Deeply furrowed bark persists on the trunk and branches, giving strong texture and character.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHabitat Value\u003c\/strong\u003e: Mature trees develop the hollows and nectar flows that underpin woodland bird and possum populations.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCold And Wet Tolerance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Handles cold wet winters and heavy frost far better than most commonly planted eucalypts.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRapid Establishment\u003c\/strong\u003e: Puts on height quickly on acidic sandy loams, closing a shelterbelt within a handful of years.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eIdeal Applications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRural Shelterbelt\u003c\/strong\u003e: Forms the tall backbone row of a multi-species windbreak on farmland.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRevegetation\u003c\/strong\u003e: A key species for restoring foothill forest and biodiversity plantings within its natural range.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eParkland Shade\u003c\/strong\u003e: Suits large parks, school grounds and acreage where a genuine canopy tree is wanted.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBoundary Screening On Acreage\u003c\/strong\u003e: Blocks distant views and neighbouring structures at a scale no shrub can reach.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecimen \u0026amp; Installation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (screening\/hedge):\u003c\/strong\u003e 6 to 10m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (feature\/avenue):\u003c\/strong\u003e 15 to 20m, and at least that far from buildings, driveways, septic systems and powerlines\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Planting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Autumn to early spring\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prefers moist, free draining, acidic sandy loams over clay subsoil. It is not suited to alkaline, arid or heavily salted sites.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water through the first two summers only, after which it should be entirely self sufficient in its climatic range. Avoid heavy staking, because a small amount of movement in the wind builds trunk taper and produces a far more stable mature tree.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 to 30m as an open grown tree, over 50m in closed forest\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 to 15m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative to:\u003c\/strong\u003e Southeastern Australia, including Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and southern New South Wales\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e White to cream\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Direct","offers":[{"title":"400mm","offer_id":59795342262558,"sku":"ND-0709-400MM","price":800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/2536\/8862\/files\/odXQWfWY4843K9GvikutD_h1l4qu9Z.jpg?v=1787313786","url":"https:\/\/nurserydirect.com.au\/products\/eucalyptus-obliqua","provider":"Nursery Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}