[3][4][5][6][7] Eucalyptus saligna was first formally described in 1797 by English naturalist James Edward Smith in Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, and still bears its original name.

[6] It has been classified in the subgenus Symphyomyrtus, Section Latoangulatae, Series Transversae (eastern blue gums) by Ian Brooker and David Kleinig.

[6][5] It is a component of the endangered blue gum high forest ecological community in the Sydney region.

[6][5] South of Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River, pure stands of E. saligna give way to hybrid populations with bangalay (E.

[5] The longhorn beetle species Paroplites australis,[11] Agrianome spinicollis and Tessaromma undatum have been recorded from the Sydney blue gum.

It is used for general building construction, panelling, and boatbuilding, and is highly prized for flooring and furniture because of its rich dark honey colour.