Though unlike other eucalyptus trees, the rainbow eucalyptus does not produce the aromatic oil that many expect from these trees. If left alone the tree normally grows to a height of around 60 meters (200 feet). It usually grows tall and straight, with the first branches usually sprouting very high up the trunk. It is a fast growing tree that keeps its leaves the whole year. Today the tree is often used as an ornamental addition to gardens and can be found in other humid climates such as Hawaii and southern Florida, Texas and California. More specifically it has been traced to the forests on Mindano, which is the southern and easternmost island in the Philippine archipelago. I do not own the rights of these images all credit goes to its original creator(s).The tree is originally a native of the rainforests of the Philippines.
Two Rainbow Eucalyptus trees that recently shed their bark Eucalypt Ecology: Individuals to Ecosystems. Williams, Jann E., and John Woinarski.(These first three items all go together).“Eucalyptus deglupta Tree Record.” 1995-2014.
In the correct temperate zones, Eucalyptus deglupta is used as a street tree, a shade tree, a specimen tree, or an ornamental. This tree has been used to help reforest areas recently devastated by volcanic activity, landslides, or human deforestation. The wood is used for particleboard, boats, construction lumber, plywood, and many other options. Occasionally used as charcoal, the Rainbow Eucalyptus’ wood is its major selling point. However, the bark is less colorful outside of tropical areas.The Rainbow Eucalyptus, in addition to its colorful bark, is also one of the fastest growing trees worldwide. The bark peels in the summer, giving this tree its characteristic coloring. This is the only type of Eucalyptus tree that natively grows in the northern hemisphere (including Costa Rica and the Philippines). Monoecious or Dioecious: Monoecious (each tree has male and female flower organs) Optimal seed growth temperature, at least for the Eucalyptus growing in consistently warm-weathered areas, is 35 degrees Celsius (one of the highest worldwide). Consistently warm-weather Eucalyptus, however, don’t exhibit the need for a cold period. Seeds require stratification: Trees growing in colder climates require colder conditions (stratification) for some seeds to germinate. Leaves: lanceolate (lance-shaped), give off an aroma when crushed, dark green, up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) long and 10 centimeters (4 inches) wideįlowers: tiny, white, showy, pollinated by beesįruits: very tiny, winged, dark brown once mature, release 3-12 seeds per pod Watering requirement: frequent watering neccessary Soil requirements: moderately wet soil, loamy or sandy, somewhat acidic or very alkalineĪir Requirements: high humidity, frequent rainfalls Problems (minor): beetle borers, root rot (in drenched soils), termites are especially harmful to young trees, requires sufficient planting space Problems (major): entirely intolerant of frost, devastated by fires, prolonged marsh-like conditions can cause root rot Tolerates: highly alkaline soils, fairly high rainfall Growth Rate: VERY fast (in 18 months, one specimen reached 10 meters in height) The bark “sheds” in the summer, revealing a magnificient variety of copper, orange, brown, green, pink, and purple.Įucalyptus deglupta (Rainbow Eucalyptus, Mindanao Gum)ĭiameter: 18-38 meters (60-125 feet) wide spread (including canopy and root system), the trunk reaches 1.8 meters (6 feet) wide in total Flowering can begin after only a few years of germination. It is one of the fastest growing trees on the plant, with one strand in New Guinea reaching an average 54 meters tall and 2 meters wide at 14 years of age. Growing with an ovular shape once mature, Eucalyptus deglupta is reported to reach 76 meters tall.
Well known for its extremely peculiar bark, the Rainbow Eucalyptus can reach great heights (pun completely intended).