This Australian native tree grows on dry, upland soils where drainage is free, irrigation is occasional, and frosts are common. It is relatively fast growing, and will grow up to 50cm per year in nature. It usually forms a single trunk and has a wide-spreading canopy. The trunks are white and chalky with reddish flecks all the way up the stem and are amongst the most attractive of all the eucalypts.

Red Spotted Gum has been used extensively in urban planting, and is highly successful in Canberra.