This large, fast growing tree can reach 45m however more commonly 20-30m in sheltered forests.

Depending on the soil conditions it may grow as a single trunked tree or in poorer soils as a mallee with several thinner trunks.The tessellated or 'alligator' red-brown bark exudes a blood-red resin, hence the common name Red Bloodwood.

Corymbia gummifera has a dense crown of shiny, mid-green, lanceolate leaves and clusters of white flowers during late summer and early autumn.

Dry sclerophyll forests, mainly on sandstone soils but also sometimes on shales. The bark of Corymbia gummifera is dark grey-brown, cracked and scaly, covering the whole tree.

The fruits are urn-shaped, about 1cm wide. Aboriginal people in the Sydney region sucked the nectar for a sweet drink and used the resin to prevent fishing lines fraying.

It is commonly found in association with Angophora costata (Sydney Red Gum) and Eucalyptus piperita (Sydney Peppermint) in shallow sandy soils on dry ridges and slopes.