regrowing from the base and branches after bushfire. Trees live for over a hundred years. The grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) eats the flowers, while the leaves form a staple of the diet of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). Leaves in winter contain less nitrogen than those in summer, which the koalas make up for by eating more in winter months. The brown-headed honeyeater (Melithreptus brevirostris) and yellow-tufted honeyeater (Lichenostomus melanops) have been observed eating gum exudate from the stems.<ref name="Barker 1984">{{cite book |vauthors=Barker RD, Vestjens WJ | year = 1984 | title = The Food of Australian Birds: (II) Passerines | publisher = Melbourne University Press | isbn = 0-643-05115-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MeM4Y6zUZbMC&q=Eucalyptus+punctata&pg=PT200}}</ref> Fieldwork at several sites around central New South Wales showed that the red wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata) and noisy friarbird (Philemon corniculatus) preferred to forage on the foliage of the grey gum over other trees, with the former appearing to oust the latter if both species were present. Uses The timber is very hard and durable, and used in construction and for railway sleepers. The multicoloured bark of Eucalyptus punctata'' that appears from time to time gives the tree some horticultural appeal, and it has potential applications in large parks, reserves and fields. Gallery References punctata Myrtales of Australia Trees of Australia Flora of Queensland Flora of New South Wales Plants described in 1828