Question: What desert bush is this?

Yep, native poplar alright - first things to grow after a fire and grow straight up with an almost pink stem to about 5 or 6 m before branching out like a poplar tree but they don't seem to live all that long - 5 or 10 years at most I would think.

Thanks guys, looks like I have my answer.

Cheers
Alan

OK didnt know thier name but they spring up like a weed after burning in the yellow sand plain country (an example is where the truckies were burnt near yellowdine)

not a desert dweller as such very common in the goldfields in burnt yellow sandpalin

With your scientific name I was able to find them in "A Guide to Plants of Inland Australia". They give the name as Desert Poplar with alternate names of Native Poplar, Bellfruit Tree, Bell Fruit. They describe it as a shrub or tree to 8m high with smooth pale bark. The picture shown is of a mature tree and there is no mention of the pinky colour at an early age but they do suggest it occurs after fire and is short lived. They also mention the name Mustard Bush because of the sharp mustard taste of the leaves.

Trees of Victoria and Adjoining Areas lists it as Bell-fruit Tree, Native Poplar and does describe the bark as smooth and pinkish. Regenerates especially after fire.

Cheers
Jim