Trees Active day and night

Scribbly Gum

Eucalyptus haemastoma

iNaturalist Wikipedia

Featuring a trunk etched with nature's own mysterious calligraphy, the Scribbly Gum is the artistic soul of the Sydney bush. This iconic tree provides a vital sanctuary for nectar-loving birds and nocturnal gliders within its silvery-white branches.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Height typically 6-15 metres (20-50 feet); trunk diameter up to 1 metre (3.3 feet)

palette

Colors

Smooth white, off-white, or silvery-grey bark with brownish-black insect 'scribbles'; dull green foliage

visibility

Key Features

Distinctive zig-zag 'scribble' patterns on smooth bark
Silvery-white to pale grey trunk that sheds in patches
Lance-shaped or curved adult leaves 7-15cm long
Clusters of 9-15 white flowers
Small conical or hemispherical woody gumnuts

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern Active day and night

brightness_5

Peak hours 24 hours (Biological activity is continuous; flowers and bark most visible in daylight)

calendar_month

Season Year-round (Bark shedding in summer; flowering August-October)

restaurant

Diet Autotrophic; produces energy via photosynthesis using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

park

Habitat Dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands, almost exclusively on nutrient-poor sandstone soils.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Scribbly Gum Live?

The Scribbly Gum is native to the Australian continent, specifically concentrated in the coastal regions and adjacent tablelands of New South Wales. Its core range is centered within the Sydney Basin, extending from the Hunter Valley in the north down through the Illawarra region to the south. This species is a signature feature of the rugged sandstone plateaus and ridges that characterize the landscape of eastern Australia.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

1 Countries

50K km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

AU Australia

Marginal

eco

iNaturalist / Verified observation data

View on iNaturalist open_in_new

Explore more Trees arrow_forward

Behavior

The Scribbly Gum is a slow-growing, resilient hardwood that serves as a cornerstone of its ecosystem. While it remains stationary, it undergoes a dynamic annual cycle of bark shedding and flowering. Its most famous characteristic—the intricate 'scribbles'—is the result of a fascinating symbiotic-like relationship with the larvae of the Scribbly Gum Moth (Ogmograptis). These larvae tunnel between the layers of bark, and their artistic tracks are revealed to the world when the tree sheds its old, weathered outer layer to reveal fresh, smooth bark beneath.

Beyond its visual appeal, the tree acts as a high-rise habitat for diverse Australian fauna. It is known for developing hollows as it ages, which are essential nesting sites for parrots, owls, and gliders. During its flowering season in late winter and spring, the tree becomes a bustling social hub, producing copious amounts of nectar that attract a wide array of honeyeaters, lorikeets, and native bees.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

Capturing the beauty of a Scribbly Gum with an AI-powered camera requires a different approach than photographing mobile wildlife. To showcase the iconic bark, mount your camera on a tripod or a neighboring tree about 3-5 feet away from the trunk. Use the highest resolution settings possible to capture the fine detail of the insect scribbles. Because the white bark is highly reflective, avoid using a front-facing flash at night, which can 'wash out' the image; instead, utilize the soft, angled light of the early morning or late afternoon to create shadows within the tunnels and bark textures.

If your goal is to document the wildlife using the tree, aim your camera at a known hollow or a cluster of flower buds. Scribbly Gums are favorites for Sugar Gliders and Feathertail Gliders, which are best captured with infrared (IR) night vision. Position the camera slightly above the hollow, angled downward, to see the animals as they emerge at dusk. For bird enthusiasts, late winter is the prime time to focus on the canopy, as the white flowers attract colorful Rainbow Lorikeets and Noisy Miners.

Consider using a time-lapse setting over several weeks during the summer months. This allows you to record the 'peeling' process where the old grey bark falls away to reveal the brilliant white and yellow hues of the new bark underneath. Ensure your camera is securely fastened with a heavy-duty strap, as these trees often grow in wind-exposed sandstone ridges where camera shake can trigger false motion alerts. If your camera uses AI detection, the movement of peeling bark in high winds can sometimes be flagged, so adjust your sensitivity settings accordingly during the shedding season.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Scribbly Gum.

Hard-leaved Scribbly Gum

Found on even poorer soils, it has smaller fruit and thicker, more rigid leaves than E. haemastoma.

Narrow-leaved Scribbly Gum

Distinguished by its much narrower leaves and smaller, more club-shaped flower buds.

Ghost Gum

While it has similar white bark, the Ghost Gum lacks the characteristic insect scribbles and is native to Central Australia.

Browse all Trees arrow_forward

Frequently Asked Questions

As a tree, the Scribbly Gum is biologically active 24/7, but it is best viewed during the day. Its flowers are most attractive to birds during daylight hours, while its hollows become centers of activity for nocturnal marsupials after sunset.

You can't attract trees like animals, but you can plant them if you live in New South Wales! They require well-drained, sandy soil and plenty of sun. Once mature, a single Scribbly Gum will naturally attract dozens of species of birds, moths, and bees to your yard.

Scribbly Gums are primary producers; they 'eat' sunlight. Through photosynthesis, they convert solar energy, water from the soil, and carbon dioxide from the air into the sugars they need to grow.

Yes, they are very common in the suburbs of Sydney, especially those bordering national parks like Ku-ring-gai Chase or the Royal National Park. They are often preserved in backyard 'bush blocks' and local parks.

Look closely at the 'scribbles' and the fruit. While other trees like Eucalyptus racemosa also have scribbles, E. haemastoma has larger, more conical gumnuts and is almost always found on sandstone-derived soils.

Record Scribbly Gum at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo