Preferred climate for growth: Eucalypts thrive in a wide range of climates, from tropical to temperate. They can adapt to both hot and cold climates. Altitude preferences: Eucalypts can be found at various altitudes, from sea level to high mountain regions.
Eucalypts
Eucalypts, also known as Eucalyptus spp, are a group of trees belonging to the Myrtaceae family. They are commonly grown alongside nitrogen-fixing trees like acacias. While eucalypts have invasive root systems that can deplete water and nutrients from neighboring land, they are valued for their ability to coppice and provide firewood. Eucalyptus oil is extracted from their leaves, and thinning can be done to obtain fence posts and construction poles. With diminishing supplies of hardwood, eucalypts offer a promising investment for the future and are also beneficial as nectar producers for bee forage systems.
Eucalypts (Eucalyptus spp)
Australia
Eucalypts, also known as Eucalyptus spp, belong to the family MYRTACEAE. They are considered as other utility plants and are often grown in association with acacias and other nitrogen-fixing trees. It is important to note that eucalypts have invasive root systems that can deplete water and nutrients from adjacent land. To mitigate this, it is recommended to have a buffer of nitrogen-fixing trees between eucalypts and crop land or pasture. One notable characteristic of eucalypts is their ability to coppice readily, which makes them suitable for firewood production. However, their invasive root systems have caused significant nutrient loss in the soil, leading to challenges for farmers in some regions. Despite this, eucalyptus oil is commonly extracted from the leaves of managed trees. Thinning can be employed to obtain materials such as fence posts, construction poles, and pulp from select eucalyptus species. Additionally, using chip species from eucalypts can help promote the growth of timber species with long, straight trunks, providing an additional source of income for farmers before the timber species reach maturity. As the global supply of hardwood diminishes, eucalypts present themselves as a promising investment for the future. Moreover, many species of eucalypts are known for their significant nectar production, making them a valuable addition to bee forage systems.
- Well-drained soil - Tolerates a range of soil types - Prefers fertile soil - Can tolerate sandy or loamy soil
Family: MYRTACEAE
Eucalypts should be grown in association with acacias and other nitrogen - fixing trees. As eucalypts generally have highly invasive root systems that can rob adjacent land of water and nutrients, they should have a buffer of nitrogen - fixing trees between them and crop land or pasture.
Most eucalypts coppice readily. They are planted extensively as a firewood crop, but in many parts of the world their invasive root systems have led to serious nutrient loss in the soil. In some instances farmers have walked off the farms that have supported their families for many generations.
Eucalyptus oil is usually extracted from leaves of trees managed by coppice.
Thinning can be used for fence posts, construction poles and some species can be sold for pulp. Using these chip species to encourage timber species to form long, straight trunks is a means of supplementing farm income before the timber species mature.
As the world supplies of hardwood diminish, eucalypts promise a worthy investment for the future.
Many species of eucalypts are also significant nectar producers to incorporate in a bee forage system.