Eucalyptus Tree

From PlantWiki

Eucalyptus Tree
Species
Eucalyptus

History

Although Eucalyptus Trees must have been seen by the very early European explorers and collectors, no botanical collections of them are known to have been made until 1770 when Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander arrived at Botany Bay with Captain James Cook. There they collected specimens of Eucalyptus near the Endeavour River in northern Queensland.

In 1777, on Cook's third expedition, David Nelson collected a specimen of Eucalyptus in southern Tasmania. This specimen was taken to the British Museum in London, and was named by the French botanist L'Héritier, who was working in London at the time. At the turn of the 19th century, several more species of Eucalyptus were named and published. Most of these were by the English botanist James Edward Smith.

The Australian aborigines have used eucalyptus for hundreds of years as a remedy for fever, wounds, coughs, asthma, and joint pain. Baron Ferdinand von Miller, a German botanist and explorer, was responsible for making the properties of eucalyptus known to the world in the mid-1800s. Likening eucalyptus' scent to that of cajaput oil (a disinfectant), von Miller suggested that eucalyptus might also be used as a disinfectant in fever districts. Seeds of the tree were sent to Algiers, France and planted. The trees thrived and, because of the drying action of the roots, turned one of the marshiest areas of Algiers into a dry and healthy environment, thereby driving away malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Eucalyptus trees were then planted in temperate areas around the world to prevent malaria. As a result, eucalyptus trees are now cultivated in China, India, Portugal, Spain, Egypt, South and North Africa, Algeria, South America, and in the southern portion of the United States.

Characteristics

The Eucalyptus Tree is a large, fast-growing evergreen. The tree can grow to 375-480ft. tall. The tree grows best in areas with an average temperature of 60°F (15°C). All eucalyptus trees require full sun; however, some species, like E. neglecta and E. crenulata, will tolerate areas with semi-shade. They also adapt well to a wide range of soils, from hot, dry sites to slightly wet as long as the area is well draining.

The bluish green leaves carry the medicinal properties of the tree and grow to a length of 6-12 inches. While the leathery leaves are the sole food for koala bears, the leaves also contain a fragrant volatile oil that has antiseptic, expectorant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, deodorant, diuretic, and antispasmodic properties. These fast growing trees produce a powerful aromatic scent.

Uses

The leaf glands of many species of Eucalyptus contain a volatile, aromatic oil known as eucalyptus oil, used mostly in medicines. Eucalyptus wood is used extensively in Australia as fuel and the timber is commonly used in buildings and fencing and making musical instruments. The bark of many species is used in papermaking and tanning. Eucalyptus trees are great ornamental trees and are also useful in forming windbreaks.