About Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees (and a few shrubs) in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia. There are more than 700 species of eucalyptus, mostly native to Australia. The species of eucalyptus are cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics including the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East, China and the Indian Subcontinent.

Eucalyptus has attracted attention from global development researchers and environmentalists. It is a fast-growing source of wood, its oil can be used for cleaning and functions as a natural insecticide, and it is sometimes used to drain swamps and thereby reduce the risk of malaria. Outside their natural ranges, eucalypts are both lauded for their beneficial economic impact on poor populations and derided for being invasive water-suckers, leading to controversy over their total impact.

Size and habit: A mature eucalyptus may take the form of a low shrub or a very large tree. There are three main habit and four size categories that species can be divided into. Tree sizes follow the convention of:

Small: to 10 meters in height (0-30 feet)

Medium-sized: 10 to 30 meters (30-90 ft)

Tall: 30 to 60 meters (90-180 feet)

Very tall: over 60 meters (over 180 feet)

The outstanding feature of this species is its phenomenally fast growth and regeneration, making it an attractive investment for wood-related products.