17 



portant watersheds is already receiving attention, and the in- 

 terest in this work will become more marked as time goes on. 

 Planting trees to protect watersheds will be considered by many 

 to be more important than planting them for lumber and fuel 

 production, though under proper management one forest may 

 be made to serve both purposes. Many eucalypts are well suited 

 for the purpose of water protection if planted closely together 

 or if under-planted with some undergrowth to afford protection 

 to the soil. A properly-managed Eucalyptus protection forest 

 should pay for itself in course of time. 



Other Uses. 



Because of their rapid growth, flexible trunks, and ability to 

 grow in exposed situations, a number of the eucalypts make ex- 

 cellent windbreaks, deflecting the wind upward and thus exert- 

 ing their influence for a comparatively long distance. The plant- 

 ing of Eucalyptus groves to protect cattle has already been men- 

 tioned. In California the eucalypts are extensively planted to 

 protect orange groves and other fruit orchards from blasting 

 winds. In Hawaii, especially at the lower elevations, the iron- 

 wood (Casuarina equiseti folia) is a better windbreak tree than 

 most of the eucalypts, because of its ability to grow on sandy 

 soils, to stand the salt ocean spray, and to form straight trunks 

 under conditions extremely adverse to the growth of other 

 trees. At higher elevations, where the ironwoods do not thrive, 

 Eucalyptus was found to be advisable. The following species 

 are considered particularly wind resistant: messmate (E. amyg- 

 dalina), sugar gum (E. corynocalyx) , and swamp gum (E. 

 rudis). In California swamp mahogany (E. robusta) is con- 

 sidered to be a poor tree for windy situations because of its 

 liability to breakage. In Hawaii, however, it is found to grow 

 well in the most windy localities and apparently thrives in places 

 where no other trees can exist. The blue gum (E. globulus) 

 will grow in windy situations, but when growing under such 

 conditions the trees are crooked and twisted, and (although 

 valuable to some extent for a windbreak) the trees are therefore 

 not good for timber. 



From the fact that the eucalypts are evergreen, they are ex- 

 cellent shade trees for ornamental planting, and if properly 

 grouped present a very pleasing appearance. The lemon-scent- 

 ed gum (E. citriodora), with its tall trunk and slender, often 

 pendulous branches, deserves special mention for ornamental 

 purposes. Blue gum is an effective tree if grown in a clump or 



