420 HORTICULTURE, FORESTRY, FLORICULTURE 



cordwood varies from $5 to $15 per cord in different markets. Fuel- 

 wood groves may be cut from two to four times at intervals of from 

 four to eight years. After the first cutting the net returns from the 

 tree crop will be greater, because an expenditure for planting and 

 cultivation will not be required. Under average conditions seedling 

 groves reach their maximum yield of fuel wood between the eighth 

 and tenth years of growth, while sprout groves reach this period by 

 the fifth or sixth year. The year when they should be cut is thus 

 indicated. Blue gum seedling groves reach their maximum yield 

 of saw timber between the thirtieth and fortieth years of growth. A 

 yield of 32,000 feet board measure per acre is obtained in thirty 

 years from seedling stands under average conditions. Lumber com 

 mands a price of from $100 to $125 per thousand feet in the limited 

 market which it has found in California. Blue gum pile timbers 

 bring from $5 to $15 apiece on the stump. 



The wood of the eucalypts, unlike that of our northern-grown 

 oaks and hickories, has no distinctive alternate bands of spring and 

 summer wood. On this account the age of the trees can not be 

 determined by counting the rings on a cross section of the stump. 

 Bands of wood of different colors and densities can be distinguished 

 on a cross section of eucalyptus, but they are often not continuous, 

 and several may occur in a year's growth. The fibers of the wood are 

 much interlaced, making it tough and more difficult to split for fuel 

 than most woods. The grain is often irregular, which makes the wood 

 liable to chip under the planer, but gives it a very pleasing effect 

 when it is smoothly finished. When first felled, the eucalypts con- 

 tain a large amount of water; often more than half the weight of 

 the green wood is made up of water. Green eucalyptus logs sink 

 immediately. This large amount of moisture and the irregular 

 structure of the wood make eucalyptus lumber difficult to season 

 properly. In color the wood of the eucalypts varies widely, shades 

 of yellow, brown, and red predominating. In hardness and dry 

 weight there is also a wide range. 



Eucalyptus is sometimes used by farmers in California for 

 wagon poles, shafts, axles, doubletrees, bolsters, spokes, hubs, felloes, 

 and for the wooden parts of plows, harrows, and other agricultural 

 implements, and, so far as known, it has given satisfaction. The 

 results of the laboratory tests show that its strength is sufficient 

 for vehicle construction. In addition to the possible economic value 

 of eucalypts, several varieties have shown themselves to be valuable 

 additions to our list of shade and ornamental trees. As ornamentals 

 they are evergreen, which is a desirable feature in a region with 

 little color, and possessed of a pleasing aroma. They have thus far 

 been found free from fungus and insect pests, and unlike deciduous 

 trees do not cast a litter of fallen leaves each year; although some 

 of them shed considerable bark. (F. S. B. 77; Ariz. E. S. B. 60? 

 F. S. Cir. 179; F. S. Cir. 59; Calif. E. S. B. 196.) 



ORNAMENTAL AND SHADE TREES. 



The value to the farmer of ornamental and shade trees cannot 

 be. estimated in dollars and cents. Yet what farmer would be with- 



