Trees Around the World Virtual Tour
Eucalypus sp. | Myrtaceae | eucalyptus
Characteristics:
Eucalyptus camaldulensis 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 produce 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. This tree is a high water user - on warm days eucalyptus forests containing it transpire so much water and volatilized organic compounds (terpenoids) that they become shrouded in a smog-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. There are more than 700 species in this genus - many providing other sizes, form and water use attributes suitable for an urban desert!
