Blakely's Red Gum

Eucalyptus blakelyi, commonly known as "Blakely's red gum", is a very distinctive and beautiful species of Australian eucalypt. It's a member of the family Myrtaceae, and is found mainly on the tablelands of NSW and the ACT, but also in southeast Queensland and northeastern Victoria. Trees can reach a height of 20 metres or more, and some of the trees I saw had massive girth. The bark is amazing, and the colours are ever-changing in response to the light. Bark is quite smooth on the upper branches (4th photo), creamy yellow and patchy white, grey to brown and red, and sheds in large plates or flakes, particularly around the trunk (1st and 2nd photos). The tree sap is blood red! The species is very common in this section of the national park, and creates some amazing quintessential Australian bush scenes along its trails.