Q Which trees do koalas prefer? A Koalas feed almost exclusively on a few preferred tree
species which are of primary and secondary importance.
These species can vary depending on where you are located. The primary and secondary food trees mostly utilised by koalas in Ballina are listed below. Primary food trees • Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) • Tallowwood (Eucalyptus microcorys) • Swamp Mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta) • Forest Red Gum x Swamp Mahogany (Eucalyptus patentinervis)
Secondary food trees • Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus grandis) • Grey Gum (Eucalyptus propinqua) • Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) • Sydney Blue Gum (Eucalyptus saligna) • Scribbly Gum (Eucalyptus signata) •N arrow-leaved Red Gum (Eucalyptus seeana) • Red Mahogany (Eucalyptus resinifera) • Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus siderophloia) • Pink Bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia) • Forest Oak (Allocasuarina torulosa) • Swamp Oak (Casuarina glauca) • Brush Box (Lophostemon confertus) • Swamp Box (Lophostemon suaveolens) • Paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia) • Bottlebrush (Callistemon spp)
Several other native species which are often found in Ballina Shire, but are not locally native are used by koalas. These species include; Cadaghi (Corymbia torelliana), Drooping Red Gum (E. parramattensis), Bangalay (E. botryoides), Dunn’s White Gum (E. dunnii), Lemonscented Gum (E. citriodora). The trees koalas prefer to eat and use for shelter depend on the particular area and its surrounding habitat. Koalas can shelter in non-food trees such as Camphor Laurel and even rainforest trees. Ko a l a F ri e n d l y F a rm s in Bal l i na S hi re
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