Corymbia maculata (Spotted Gum), Australia

Recorded by Kim V. Goldsmith in the Murramarang National Park, South Coast New South Wales (Yuin Country), Australia, October 2024. Field recordings were made using contact microphones on the trunk of the tree and at the base of the tree, mixed with atmosphere from the forest on the edge of the ocean recorded with omnis and a shotgun microphone.

*Looking skyward at the base of a Spotted Gum in the Murramarang National Park, South Coast, New South Wales, Australia. Image: Kim V.Goldsmith*

Corymbia maculata or Spotted gum is one of the best known of all of the eucalypts because of its stately, tall growth habit and distinctive trunk which is blotched with patches of old bark contrasting with the smooth, cream bark beneath. It develops into a medium to tall tree to about 30 metres high. Leaves are the typical lance shape shared by many eucalypts and are 10-20 cm long by 2.5 cm wide. The white flowers occur in winter to spring and attract honey eating birds. The flowers are followed by brown, barrel shaped fruits about 15 mm in diameter.

The tree is similar to Corymbia citriodora (Lemon-scented Gum).