PRINCIPAL SPECIES OF EUCALYPTS GROWN IN AMERICA. 75 



Climatic requirements. — The Red Mahogany o-rows quite well in tlie 

 coast region of California, but does not thrive in the dry interior val- 

 leys. It does not resist severe frost, nor does it endure high temper- 

 atures in a dry atmosphere. It is well suited to moist, semitropical 

 climates, being contined in Australia almost exclusively to the warm 

 coast districts. 



Uses. — The tree furnishes a timber that is very strong, hard, and 

 durable. It is used in Australia for piles, posts, paving, shingles, and 

 general building purposes. Mr. Maiden says in his ''Useful Austra- 

 lian Plants:'"' 



This is one of the most valuable hard woods of the colony [New South A\'ales]. It 

 is a rich red color, resemblinf? true mahogany a good deal in appearance. It is a 

 grand furniture wood where its weight is not against it. * * * It is one of the 

 most durable timbers we have, being greatly resistant to damp and the attacks of 

 white ants. 



This Eucalypt can be used as a forest cover, as a shade tree, and as a 

 wind-])reak where it is too moist and warm for other species, and will 

 at the same time be a source of valual)le timber. 



Eucalyptus robusta. 

 Sw.vMi' Maikxianv. 



Character i^t'icf. — This is a tree symmetrical in form and of medium 

 size. In the Southwest it has not yet exceeded a height of 50 feet and 

 a diameter of 1 foot, but in Australia it is said to attain a height of 

 100 feet, with a trunk sometimes 50 feet long and nearl}' -i feet in 

 diameter. The heav v foliage and spreading habit give the tree a stately, 

 robust appearance, hence its specitic name, rohmta. (See PI. XXX VI 1 . ) 

 The rusty gray bark is persistent and is usually wrinkled and fur- 

 rowed. The bark of the branches frequently tiakes off, leaving them 

 smooth. The leaves are large and leatheiy. sometimes being tt inches 

 long and 2 inches wide. (See PI. LXXIII.) The upper side is dark 

 green, the lower a paler green color. The cream-colored flowers are 

 large and quite abundant, growing in clusters of 3 to 10 on stout, 

 usually flattened stocks. The seed cases are goblet-shaped, or some- 

 times urn-shaped, and occasionally slightly angled. (See PI. XCI.) 



Climatic requirements. — The tree thrives at and near the coast, but 

 does not endure well the drv heat of the interior. In its native coun- 

 tr}' it grows in warm, swampy coast localities, l)ut in the Southwest 

 it will grow in quite a variety of situations if supplied with suflicient 

 water. It has been nuich planted as an avenue tree in the Southwest, 

 but after a few j'ears it usually makes an irregular, unsatisfactory 

 growth, unless the roots are kept quite moist. It ought to thrive 

 along the coast of the Gulf of ^Mexico, in regions free from heavy 

 frosts. 



