Commonly occurring native hardwood found in the coastal areas of New South Wales and South East Queensland, typically between Sydney in the south and Maryborough on the northern end. It is also extensively grown in plantations in South Africa and South America, due to the comparable climate conditions. The rapid growth plantation timber found here is generally of a lower density than the more mature Australian material.

Sydney Blue Gum has a moderately course and even grain, and is generally straight or slightly interlocked. Gum veins are common.

Heartwood ranges in colour from dark pink to reddish brown, the sapwood is a distinctive lighter colour. The tree can reach heights of up to 65 metres at their tallest, with a smooth, straight trunk. The base will include some persistent dark brown bark, which gives way to smooth blue-grey and white as the tree extends higher.

Sydney Blue Gum is a moderately durable hardwood timber with natural durability rating of class 2 above ground and class 3 inground. Untreated sapwood is susceptible to Lyctid borer. It has a Janka hardness rating of 9. Shrinkage is high at 5% radial and 9% tangential. Timber dries easily, but tangential surfaces are prone to surface checking, heart centre wood is inclined to split badly. BAL rating up to 19.