Types of Eucalyptus Trees

There are more than 600 species of eucalyptus, with most found in the tree's native Australia and 284 appearing on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's database of native-growing plants. The tree has thrived in a wide range of areas thanks to its variety of uses and its tolerance of poor soil, drought and fire.

Eucalyptus Globulus
Eucalyptus globulus, known as bluegum eucalyptus, usually grows to about 180 feet with leaves 4 to 11 inches long. It is most common in California, Hawaii and its native Australia. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the bluegum is an important source of firewood in many countries, although it more commonly is used in the United States as an ornamental plant. Its oil is used in medicines due to its antifungal and antibacterial properties and also is used as flavor ingredient in foods and medicines.

Eucalyptus Cinerea
Eucalyptus cinerea, also called the Argyle apple and sold as the silver dollar eucalyptus, is a small- or medium-sized evergreen (up to 40 feet tall) with a domed canopy comprised of oval-shaped leaves that are a distinctive blue-green color. The online Fast Growing Trees Nursery calls the leaves "refreshingly aromatic" and praises the tree's aroma as a natural insect repellent. Its stiff, leaf-covered branches also are popular as interior ornamentation, with FiftyFlowers.com describing this eucalyptus as an "aromatic filler with a long vase life."

Eucalyptus Camaldulensis
According to the Purdue University Center for New Crops and Plant Products, this large evergreen, commonly known as the redgum, is considered to be the most widely distributed eucalyptus. The redgum's durable and well-burning wood has made it a popular source of construction material and firewood. It also is used as a shelter tree to protect crops, and its oil has a variety of folk medicinal uses.

Decorative Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus leucoxylon, or yellow gum, is a popular eucalyptus among landscapers due to its long-lasting white, red or pink flowers. The Eucalyptus papuana, or ghost gum, is notable for its smooth, white bark, while the new bark of the Eucalyptus kitsoniana produces pink, brown, yellow and green colors.

Hardy Eucalyptus
While eucalyptus trees generally don't like cold climates, Eucalyptus gunnii, also known as the cider gum, can withstand temperatures in the single digits Fahrenheit. Other eucalyptus known for their hardiness are E. niphophila, E. Debeuzevillei and E. archeri.

Tall Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus regnans, also known as the mountain ash, regularly achieves heights of more than 300 feet. According to the International Society of Arboriculture Australia Chapter, the tallest reliably documented tree ever was a Eucalyptus regnans growing in Victoria, Australia, which stood 370 feet before it was cut in 1884. The U.S. Forest Service reports that some Eucalyptus globulus in California have reached heights of 260 feet.

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Eucalyptus Trees

Native to Australia and Tasmania, the eucalyptus is a resilient and diverse tree with more than 500 species. One of the oldest trees on Earth, the eucalyptus dates back about 50 million years. This hardy species can survive drought and often starts to regrow within several weeks after a forest fire. A number of varieties make excellent choices for shade and landscaping trees, including the Silver Dollar and Blue Gum.

Climate
Eucalyptus trees thrive in warm, wet winters and dry summers, but they are intolerant of colder climates. Regions in South America, South Africa and India grow many varieties of eucalyptus, as well as areas throughout the American South and Southwest. Climates in California, Arizona and Florida and Hawaii provide the best U.S. weather and soil conditions for the eucalyptus.

Size
The eucalyptus ranges from 30 to 200 feet tall. It is common for the tree to reach more than 300 feet in the wild, making the eucalyptus one of the tallest trees in the world. Depending on the species, it can grow 5 feet per year or more. The height of the eucalyptus makes it a good choice as a windbreak near a house.

Flowers
The color of the eucalyptus flower varies from white, pink, red to yellow. It grows in delicate clusters that resemble small powder puffs. The flowers also produce nectar that is Australia's main source of honey. The seed pods are cone shaped with a bluish color when ripe, and they contain small, hard black seeds. Its bark is gray-blue and peels away in long stringy strips to expose the yellow flesh. With its aroma and colorful flowers, the eucalyptus is an excellent landscaping tree to attract birds and butterflies.

Leaves & Oil
The leaves of the eucalyptus produce a waxy oil that coats the foliage to prevent water loss in hot weather. The fragrant oil gives off the characteristic smell of eucalyptus, which attracts bees to the flowers. A multipurpose oil, eucalyptus is used in ore production, perfumes, lozenges and chest rubs. Slender and sickle-shaped, the leaves are a favorite food of koala bears and kangaroos. A eucalyptus is termite resistant and its strong scent repels wildlife such as deer.

Timber
The timber from a eucalyptus tree is called Tasmanian oak or White Mountain ash. The wood is hard, heavy and sturdy, often replacing oak in home construction and furniture making. Less expensive than oak, eucalyptus veneer is a common alternative in many decorative woodworking projects.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/info_8027977_eucalyptus-trees.html