General news
25 July, 2025
National Tree Day - 125 years of Blue Mallee excellence in West Wyalong
National Tree Day is Sunday July 27
AS Australia marks National Tree Day on Sunday 27th July, we’re reminded of the power of trees - not just for the environment, but for culture, industry, and human well-being.
Few places embody this connection more deeply than West Wyalong, New South Wales, where the Blue Mallee eucalyptus oil industry has thrived for over 125 years.
Australia’s First Natural Export
Eucalyptus oil holds a special place in Australian history and was one Australia’s first exports. Since the late 1890s’s the native and hardy Blue Mallee (Eucalyputs polybractea) trees of West Wyalong have been coppiced to produce the aromatic eucalyptus oil many Australia’s have grown up with. Eucalyptus oil produced in West Wyalong has been exported around the globe, long before wool or wheat dominated trade. West Wyalong region carries the proud legacy of 125 years of continuous production.
West Wyalong is internationally recognised as one of just two regions in Australia that produce pharmaceutical-grade Blue Mallee eucalyptus oil which contains the highest cineole component of all eucalyptus of around91%. Blue Mallee eucalyptus oil is renowned for its aromatic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and respiratory benefits. This pure, cineole-rich eucalyptus oil is not only a regional achievement – it forms part of many global products and leading brands for pharmaceutical, household, and disinfectant products. From pharmaceutical and household products West Wyalong’s eucalyptus oil plays a quiet but vital role in everyday health and hygiene. Richard Davis, Managing Director of G.R. Davis Pty Ltd, has established one of Australia’s largest privately funded tree breeding programs, with more than four million Blue Mallee trees planted on his property in West Wyalong. “This project is the result of an extensive 40-year tree breeding program, managed by scientists from CSIRO and ANU,” said Mr. Davis.
These specially bred Blue Mallee trees are highly productive and are designed to supplement the oil yield from natural stands of Blue Mallee, which have been coppiced for eucalyptus oil production for over a century.
A Model of Regenerative Agriculture
What makes the Blue Mallee truly extraordinary isn’t just the oil—but the way it’s produced. The trees are coppiced - cut at the base and left to regrow naturally from deep-rooted lignotubers. This method of production allows for over 100 years of sustainable harvesting from the same tree, without replanting or degrading the land. Oil is produced by steam distillation using biomass as fuel. This same leaf is then returned to the field as organic mulch. The industry preserves topsoil, supports native biodiversity, and contributes to carbon sequestration, making it a key ally in Australia’s climate response.
A Regional Heritage Worth Celebrating
Beyond its environmental and economic value, the Blue Mallee industry is a story of community resilience and innovation. Generations of families in the West Wyalong district have worked this land, maintaining traditional knowledge while embracing modern distillation techniques and carbon farming initiatives. Their efforts have not only built a strong local economy, but they’ve also preserved one of the most resilient and renewable natural resources on the planet.
Regional industry making a global impact
As we celebrate National Tree Day, it’s time to shine a spotlight on this remarkable story. West Wyalong should be immensely proud of its incredible Blue Mallee heritage - a legacy of sustainability, science, and service to both people and the planet. It’s a living example of how a regional industry can have global impact.
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