21 

 The Eucalyptus 



This tree has to a reasonable degree met the needs of the south- 

 west for a timber supply, and some variety can be found which 

 will just be suited to almost any locality and any requirement of 

 a tree in our County. However, there are many varieties of them, 

 and they differ so much that the consideration of a few of the best 

 in this book, will not be amiss. It is believed that in the future 

 the requirements of this state for hardwood lumber will be much 

 more fully met than has yet been done by the eucalyptus. The 

 eucatlyptus is attacked by very few insect pests or diseases, though 

 on the seed pods and young shoots of the globulus or Blue Gum, 

 we sometimes find some Greedy Scale, and a root trouble shows 

 at times, especially in very damp locations. 



Eucalyptus globulus (Blue Gum), the most grown tree in South- 

 ern California, is of wonderfully rapid growth, and this fact makes 

 the hardness and heavy weight of the timber the more surprising. 

 The timber is not, however, durable in the ground, hence is not 

 suitable for fence posts, telegraph poles or railroad ties, though it 

 is said to make very satisfactory piles for use in salt water, and 

 to resist well the action of the toredo and other destructive ocean 

 insects. To raise for fuel it is one of the best trees for this County, 

 and if the tendency to check and warp can be obviated, it can be 

 adapted to wagon manufacture and similar use ; however, if exposed 

 to the air and weather unpainted, it becomes brittle in a few months. 

 It makes a good wind break, and for foresting our otherwise useless 

 foothills, it is among the best trees known. If these hills could be 

 planted and fire kept out, they would soon be clothed with a val- 

 uable gum forest. 



Eucalyptus tereticornus (Forest Red Gum or Gray Gum) is one 

 of the best to raise for timber. Durable in the ground, hard, strong, 

 good grain, well suited to any purpose. Posts of this wood are 

 reported to have stood in the ground in good condition for 55 years 

 in Australia. These trees grow about two-thirds as fast as the Blue 

 Gum, and are probably the best suited to all conditions of our 

 County of any eucalyptus, standing cold down to 20 and doing 

 well on the desert. They thrive well on the foothills and the bloom 

 yields abundance of honey for bees. 



Eucalyptus rostrata (Red Gum) is a similar timber to tereticor- 

 nus, a little slower growth and not as straight, will stand cold to 

 20 and is a harder, finer grained wood. It is very durable in the 



