BLUE GUM OR EUCALYPTUS 



MORE than fifty species of Eucalyptus are treated of in the "Cyclopedia of Horti- 

 culture," and nearly a hundred others are known. Nearly all of these are 

 native to the Australasian region, although less than half a dozen species are 

 found in the East Indies. Of this great group the Blue Gum or Eucalyptus globulus is 

 the best known to Europeans and Americans. It is hardy in a climate like that of Central 

 and Southern California, where the temperature never goes below 25 Fahrenheit, and 

 grows very rapidly, more so than almost any other tree available for forestry uses. A 

 diameter of five feet and a height of one hundred and fifty feet is said to be attained in 

 thirty years. Of its economic uses a leaflet of the Forest Service says: "The wood is 

 very heavy, hard, strong and tough, but not durable. It is easy to split when first felled, 

 but not after it is dried. It resembles hickory in many of its qualities but is extremely 

 difficult to season. The trees are sometimes sawed into lumber and used for wagon work 

 or agricultural implements, though for none of these purposes is the wood as good as that 

 of several native species. It is coming into use for piles in sea water, and it appears to 

 be quite valuable for that purpose although the trials are not yet conclusive. Its chief 

 value at present is as firewood, for which it is in constant demand in parts of California 

 where other good fuel is scarce. This recommends it for commercial plantations. Another 

 important use of the tree is for windbreaks to protect orange and lemon orchards from 

 the high winds that are prevalent in many parts of the fruit-growing section. No other 

 tree will make so good a shelter-belt in so short a time." The trees have also been utilized 

 as windbreaks along harbor shores. 



The characteristics of the leaves and fruit are shown in the accompanying plate. 

 The long, willow-like effect of the former and the curious, box-like structure of the latter 

 are easily noted. The white flowers have a decided odor, which is unpleasant to mankind 

 but attractive to insects. 



The Red Gum (E. rostrata) is a somewhat slower-growing tree than the Blue Gum, 

 but it has to offset this the advantage of being hardier and of furnishing more durable 

 lumber. The Sugar Gum (E. corynocalyx) can endure drought better than the Red or 

 Blue species, and furnishes valuable firewood. 



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