Eucalyptus Tree Facts

Most of us are familiar with eucalyptus trees, which are characterized by a unique aroma, different bark types, foliage and beautiful flowers. These trees belong to the family Myrtaceae, subfamily Myrtoideae and genus Eucalyptus. More than 700 species of eucalyptus trees have been identified so far and most of them are natives to the Australian subcontinent. It has also been found that only fifteen species of eucalyptus trees occur outside Australia and nine of them do not grow in this subcontinent. However, many species of eucalyptus are grown in different parts of the world and some of them are commercially cultivated in the tropical and sub tropical regions, like, the Middle-East, India, China, the Americas, Africa, England, the Mediterranean basin, etc. Scroll down for more eucalyptus tree information.

Interesting Facts about Eucalyptus Trees

Eucalyptus trees, which are commercially cultivated in many regions of the world, are very popular for its oil, which is used for various purposes. The foliage of these trees is the main food source for koala bears. The following are some of the interesting eucalyptus tree facts.

• The term 'eucalyptus' is derived from a Greek word, which means 'beautiful bark' or 'well-covered'.
• Many of the species of this genus are also known as 'gum trees', because, any break in the bark results in the sap oozing out of it.
• Eucalyptus trees can be of different types. While some are seen as shrubs, large trees are also common. They are divided into four categories - single-stemmed 'forest trees' with a crown, which forms a small part of the whole tree height; single-stemmed 'woodland trees', which may produce branches; 'mallees', which develop multiple stems from the ground level itself and grow up to 10 meters in height; 'mallets' with dense terminal crowns, relatively long trunks and steeply branching habits and 'morells' with long straight trunks and rough barks.
• Eucalyptus trees possess attractive barks and are also classified as per the characteristics of the bark. Stringy bark have long fibers, which exfoliate into long pieces, which are thick and spongy; tessellated bark, which is broken into small distinct flakes; ribbon bark with long and thin pieces, which resemble a ribbon and iron bark consists of hard and rough pieces, which are deeply furrowed.
• One of the interesting eucalyptus tree facts is that some of the trees of this genus are among the tallest trees in the world. Eucalyptus regnans, popularly known as the Australian Mountain Ash, is considered as the tallest of all flowering plants.
• While, most of the eucalyptus trees are evergreen, there are some species, which lose leaves after a dry season.
• The shade of eucalyptus trees are patchy, even if the tree is fully covered with leaves. This is because the leaves of this trees usually hang.
• The leaves of eucalyptus trees hang vertically and possess numerous glands with an oil, which is fragrant and volatile. Eucalyptus oil is extracted and used as an antiseptic, deodorant or stimulant in many commercial preparations.
• Eucalyptus essential oil can be toxic in large quantities, but koalas and opossums are relatively tolerant to this oil and so, eucalyptus foliageis their main food.
• It has also been contented that as eucalyptus oil is highly flammable, these trees contribute to the wildfires and there are instances of bursting of eucalyptus trees during wildfire.
• Another eucalyptus tree fact is that the roots of these trees soak up most of the underground water in the area, making it difficult for other nearby plants to survive. However, when planted in marshy areas, it can drain the water and prevent diseases, like, malaria.
• Eucalyptus trees have shallow roots and they grow tall. So, they tend to fall over easily, posing a threat to people, animals, vehicles, roads and buildings.

Now, you know more eucalyptus tree facts, which include both advantages and disadvantages. However, several varieties of eucalyptus are grown for ornamental and commercial purposes. Eucalyptus tree care is not so difficult as this tree maintains itself, once established. Though, resistant to many pests and diseases, there are some eucalyptus tree diseases that can cause harm to the trees, which can incur huge losses, if grown for commercial purposes. In some regions, its wood is used for interior woodwork in homes. Its inner bark is also used in the manufacture of paper. Now, several industries, like, saw milling, charcoal, etc., are dependent on eucalyptus trees, which is believed to have originated some 35 to 50 million years ago.