Trees Around The World Tour- EUCALYPTUS

Eucalypus sp.       |        Myrtaceae       |       eucalyptus

Noteworthy Characteristics:

Eucalyptus trees can grow 40 ft. or more in just 20 years. They are often called “widow makers” because of their habit of dropping large limbs. Although they poduce some of the hardest and strongest timbers in the world, they are not widely used because of the difficult grain. Eucalyptus shed their bark because they need room for the massive trunk to grow. The bark must constantly regenerate to keep the delicate vascular tissues underneath well protected. Eucalyptus trees are high water users - on warm days eucalyptus forests transpire so much water and volatilized organic compounds (terpenoids) that they become shrouded in asmog-like mist. This species was used by the Aborigines as a fish poison (leaves & wood). They also harvested the roots for water by holding them vertically to drain out the water. This tree is commonly planted as a shade tree, however, compounds that are toxic to other plants make them poor candidates for composting or planting directly underneath.

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Additional Resources to Explore:

• Link to the Campus Arboretum Species Description page
• Link to the Campus Arboretum Trees Around The World Tour page (for booklet, self-guided campus tours, or docent led tour information)