The Grey Gums are a group of eucalypts which occur from Jervis Bay to Blackdown Tableland and west to Mt. Moffatt. There are four species and a few sub-species. As a group, the Grey Gums are readily distinguished by their bark. It is grey, dull, and quite granular on the surface, with no stocking of rough bark. The normal pattern of light and dark grey bark is disturbed in the summer months, when bark-shed occurs. The bark is shed in irregular plates, or in strips, depending on the species, and the new bark is pink, yellowish or even bright orange.

On the coastal lowlands between the Elliott and Isis Rivers, south of Bundaberg, there grows a eucalypt called the Goodwood Gum (E. hallii), which looks for all the world like a grey gum, with its two-toned dull grey bark, shedding to bright orange in summer. However, for reasons relating to leaf, bud and fruit morphology, it is not a true grey gum, and is in fact closely related to E. alba from the tropics.

E. hallii is an interesting species. It has a very restricted natural distribution, but is remarkably easy to grow in a garden situation. Why is it that some plants, which are very restricted in the wild, can be quite adaptable in cultivation? Whatever the reason, Goodwood Gum is such a species.

From the limited trials so far undertaken by SGAP members, it would appear to be suitable for most, if not all areas of coastal and sub-coastal Queensland.

It grows quickly from seed into a single-trunked tree of considerable beauty. The bark is grey for much of the year, but displays patches of orange bark in summer. The buds are squat and club-shaped, and hang on the tree for many months before flowering occurs (about January). It will flower from three years of age onwards, but the white flowers are not showy, as they are partly hidden by the foliage. The leaves are large, grey-green and curved.

E. hallii is very tolerant of poor drainage and infertile soil, and is at least moderately drought tolerant. Frost tolerance is unknown. Goodwood Gum should be considered for any poorly drained or infertile site where there is room for a moderate sized tree.