Blue gum is native to Australia. Grows naturally in the cooler and wetter parts of S.W. Australia. It prefers good-quality loams with adequate but not excessive moisture. The climatic range is transitional and wet montane. Suitable for areas over 2,000 m above sea level, and does well in upland areas of Kabale District. In Kampala, blue gum can be found within Golf course club, Makerere University, Makerere II Zone C among other places.

A tall tree to 55 m, rather narrow, the crown rounded and open, the main stems straight.

BARK: blue-grey, smooth peeling in long strips, rough at base.

LEAVES: young leaves opposite, oval, blue-grey, without stalks and mature leaves deep blue- green, very long and thin to 30 cm, slightly curved, stalked, smelling of camphor if crushed, tip sharp.

FLOWERS: buds grey-green wrinkled, 2.5 cm, usually one, rarely 2 or 3 white flowers to 4 cm across.

FRUIT: woody, half spheres, rough, 3 cm across, no stalks.

Medicine: an essential oil in the leaves, oleo-resin, leaves. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.phpid=Eucalyptus+globulus, https://www.prota4u.org/database/protav8.asp g=pe&p=Eucalyptus+globulus+Labill.

Agroforestry: can be used in soil stabilization, can be planted in marshy areas where they have the ability to reduce the wetness of the land, make a useful living fence, used in apiculture (source of nectar for bees), used in erosion control.

The leaves and the essential oil in them are used as an insect repellent. A decoction of the leaves is used for repelling insects and vermin, and finely powdered barkcan be used as an insecticidal dust.

An essential oil is obtained from the leaves and has a content of 60 - 80% cineole and is used in perfumery and in medicines. Its special fragrance is used in perfumery, air freshener, bath oils, and speciality perfumes.

The antiseptic properties of the oil are utilized in disinfectants, household cleanings, tooth paste and sanitary products.

The essential oil is also used in spot removers for cleaning off oil and grease.

A yellow/brown dye is obtained from the young leaves, grey and green dyes are obtained from the young shoots and dark green dye is obtained from the young bark. Kino (a red substance resembling resin) is obtained from the tree.

The wood is used for poles, posts, construction, low grade veneer, plywood, flooring, furniture, tools, boxes, crates, pallets, railway sleepers, fibreboard and particleboard. It is also suitable for marine construction, ship and boat building, vehicle bodies, toys and novelties, turnery, interior trim, core stock, joinery and mine props.

The tree is a source of pulp for the production of printing, writing, specialty and tissue papers.

The wood is a very important fuel and is much used for charcoal making.

An ornamental tree.