Australia has around 800 native eucalypt species, and a good number of them grow in Perth backyards, verges and parks. “Gum tree” is just the everyday name for a eucalypt. Knowing which one you've got helps you plan pruning, spot root problems early and decide whether a tree is a keeper or a hazard. Here's a plain-English guide to the gums you'll most often see around Perth.
Australia has around 800 native eucalypt species, and a good number of them grow in Perth backyards, verges and parks. “Gum tree” is just the everyday name for a eucalypt. Knowing which one you've got helps you plan pruning, spot root problems early and decide whether a tree is a keeper or a hazard. Here's a plain-English guide to the gums you'll most often see around Perth.
Key Takeaways:
A gum tree is simply a eucalypt, one of Australia's most recognisable native trees. The name covers hundreds of species that range from low mallees to towering forest giants. Perth sits in a botanical hotspot, so the gums here include both local WA natives and species planted from the eastern states. You can find the full identification guide at the Australian National Botanic Gardens' gum tree guide.
Most Perth gums fall into a handful of species. This table covers the ones homeowners ask about most, with the traits that matter when you're deciding on care or removal.
Gum tree roots go looking for water, and in Perth's dry sandy soils that often means your pipes, paving and foundations. Shallow feeder roots can lift driveways and paths, while larger roots can crack or block drains. If you've got a big gum close to the house, it's worth getting the roots assessed before damage starts. Our guide on tree roots in pipes and drains explains the warning signs to watch for.
Gums are famous for dropping limbs, sometimes on still days, which is why they're nicknamed “widow-makers” in the trade. Warning signs include dead branches in the canopy, deep cracks in major limbs, fungal growth on the trunk and a sudden lean. A healthy-looking gum can still shed a large branch, so regular tree pruning keeps the canopy balanced and safer. If a gum is dead or unstable, professional removal is the safe option.
Often, yes. Many Perth councils protect significant, native and street trees, and some require approval before you prune heavily or remove a tree, even on your own block. Rules differ by local government area, so check with your council first. For native trees generally, our native versus exotic tree guide weighs up the long-term costs and care.
Gum trees are eucalypts, and Australia is home to around 800 native eucalypt species. The gums most common in Perth gardens, including marri, jarrah, tuart and lemon-scented gum, vary widely in size, root behaviour and limb-drop risk, which is why correct identification guides how you prune, protect or remove them.
If you've got a gum tree near the house and you're unsure whether it needs pruning, assessment or removal, get a qualified eye on it. Lumberjacks WA's trained, insured arborists can identify the species, check its health and recommend the safest next step. Contact us for a quote and we'll take a look.
