Specialised contractors and consultants are available for site assessment, site preparation, planting, fertilising and spraying. Nurseries can advise on suitable blue gum provenances for particular sites and purposes. CALM has developed a 'Western blue gum' using seed selected from blue gums with superior performance under local conditions. Nutrition blue gums planted into well-fertilised pastures rarely suffer phosphorus deficiency. However, sites with a poor fertiliser history usually lack phosphorus and nitrogen, while sandy soils are often deficient in potassium.
Some sites also lack trace elements.
Added phosphorus is most effective if incorporated into the soil along the tree rows before planting, while nitrogen and potassium can be applied to the surface in spring after the trees are established. Sites deficient in potassium often produce poor yields and may not be economic to plant. After the first year macro nutrient and trace element deficiencies can be detected by monitoring growth rates, testing leaf nutrient concentrations and checking for visual symptoms. Once trees are established, hazards that need managing include weeds, fire, insect pests, parrots, and grazing by stock. As blue gums are a relatively new crop in Western Australia, new hazards may emerge, requiring new solutions.