Eucalyptus deglupta is often called the rainbow eucalyptus because of the unique way it sheds its bark. After the outermost layer of bark is shed, the trunk is revealed to be bright green, but gradually changes to blue, purple, orange, and finally chestnut. The rainbow eucalyptus does not shed its bark all at once, but rather sheds it in sections throughout the year, creating a striking rainbow effect.
Also known as ‘Mindanao gum’ or ‘rainbow gum’, this beautiful tree is native to the Philippines, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. It is the only eucalyptus that normally lives in rainforests – with a natural range that extends into the northern hemisphere – and is one of only four eucalyptus species out of over 700 that are not found in Australia.
The brown outer bark peels off in long, narrow strips, revealing a bright green inner bark that gradually changes colour on exposure to air – turning blue and purple, then shades of red, yellow and finally brown. In recent years, people have also used these colourful trees as ornamentals, mainly for landscape design to add colour to lush green spaces in parks, homes or botanical gardens.
Eucalyptus deglupta is a fast-growing tree, typically reaching 60–75 m (200–250 ft) in height with a trunk up to 240 cm (98 in) in diameter. It is widely planted in plantations around the world , primarily for its pulpwood used to make white paper. It is the dominant species used for pulpwood plantations in the Philippines. In the United States, rainbow eucalyptus grows in frost-free climates in Hawaii and parts of southern California, Texas, and Florida. However, in the continental United States, it only grows to heights of 100–125 feet (30–38 m).
Typically, these trees grow 1 to 1.5 metres per year. Growth is fastest in the first decade. Depending on conditions, your rainbow eucalyptus can live 50 to 150 years.
Source
Comment (0)