FEASIBILITY OF COMMERCIAL PLANTING UNDETERMINED. 31 

 FEASIBILITY OF COMMERCIAL PLANTING UNDETERMINED. 



Some species of eucalypts are undoubtedly adapted to the climatic 

 conditions of the southern part of Florida. This adaptability is 

 well shown in the large sizes which the trees attain within a com- 

 paratively short time, their comparative freedom from frost injury, 

 and the relative ease of propagation. The species which appear 

 especially well adapted to the climate of Florida, as far as the 

 observed specimens indicate, are E. resinifera, rostrata, viminalis, 

 robusta, and tereticornis. It would be unsafe, however, on the basis 

 of the individual trees examined — and most of the eucalypts planted 

 in Florida are either single trees or single rows planted as wind- 

 breaks — to make definite recommendations as to the advisability 

 of planting these species on a commercial scale for the production of 

 saw timber, ties, poles, or similar products, because the rate of growth 

 in commercial plantations would probably not be so rapid as that of 

 open-grown trees. A tree may be a success as a shade tree or in a 

 windbreak, yet the expense connected with growing the trees, their 

 form when grown in a new region, and the impossibility of foretelling 

 market demands, may make them of doubtful value for commercial 

 planting. The advisability of planting eucalypts on a large scale for 

 commercial purposes can be determined only after the methods and 

 costs of planting have been ascertained by trial. The facts thus far 

 obtained prove only that portions of Florida are climatically suit- 

 able for growing certain species of eucalypts. What is needed next 

 is to determine what are the best methods of planting and growing 

 eucalypts, how cheaply such plantations can be made, and what may 

 be the returns on various soils. To ascertain these facts, species must 

 be planted, not as single trees or even as windbreaks, but as forest 

 stands several acres in extent, by different methods of planting, and 

 with different methods of cultivation. 



Other species which were found in Florida, such as E. citriodora, 

 globulus, and marginata, may prove suitable to the climatic and soil 

 conditions of certain sections of Florida, but they have not yet been 

 planted in sufficient numbers, even as single trees, to justify definite 

 conclusions as to their possible future usefulness. Still more un- 

 certain are such species as E. saligna, siderophloia, comuta, gunnii, 

 and polyanthema. There are very few trees of these species in 

 Florida, and since most of these trees have not yet reached the seed- 

 bearing stage their botanical identity could not be completely estab- 

 lished. No judgment can be formed as to the suitability of these 

 species until more of them have been planted and tried. 



On the whole, the planting of eucalypts in Florida is still in the 

 experimental stage; it has not yet reached a point where it can be 



