6 UTILIZATION OF CALIFORNIA EUCALYPTS. 
Tasmania. In the hope of finding means of controlling this tendency 
and for the further purpose of ascertaining the mechanical properties 
of eucalyptus wood, so that its industrial usefulness may be deter- 
mined, the Forest Service has recently carried out, in cooperation 
with the University of California, a series of tests of several of the 
more common California species. It has also under way a number of 
seasoning and durability experiments. This circular gives in con- 
densed form the results of the mechanical tests and the status of the 
other unfinished experiments, together with some information in 
regard to the uses of eucalyptus wood in California and Australia. 
On the Pacific coast a natural hardwood supply is wanting. Oak 
and other hardwood lumber shipped in from the Eastern States 
command such high prices as to make their use impracticable for 
most purposes. There is need of some hardwood that will grow 
rapidly and produce good lumber. Of the woods so far tried the 
eucalypts appear most likely to fill this need. True, they will not 
endure extreme cold, but experience indicates that in considerable 
portions of California and more restricted sections of New Mexico 
and Arizona conditions are well adapted to growing them. 
EUCALYPTUS IN CALIFORNIA. 
The eucalyptus is a native of Australia and the adjacent islands, 
where some 150 varieties are found. It was introduced in California 
in 1856, when it was planted around San Francisco Bay for ornamental 
purposes. During the next few years it was planted in the Santa 
Clara Valley for wind-breaks. Since 1865 the eucalypts have been 
extensively planted in California, mainly for wind-break purposes 
around orchards and vineyards, and also for fuel. The extensive 
planting operations of the past four or five years have been taken 
up with the idea of furnishing not only fuel, but also telegraph 
poles, piling, and lumber large enough to make vehicle and carriage 
stock and furniture material. 
About 75 species of eucalypts have been grown in California. The 
blue gum (Lucalyptus globulus) was the first species introduced into 
the State, and has been much more extensively planted than the 
others. Probably 90 per cent of the eucalyptus in California at the 
present time is blue gum. Of the many other species introduced, 
red gum (EL. rostrata), sugar gum (EF. corynocalyx), gray gum (L. tere- 
ticornis), and manna gum (F. viminalis) make up by far the greater 
part. These five give indications of being well adapted to California 
conditions, although, of course, others may be found which wil! give 
just as satisfactory results. 
[Cir. 179] 
