In this article you will find information about the appearance of eucalyptus, and also find out in which areas of life it can be used by an ordinary person.
Contents
- Eucalyptus tree: species, how it looks like flowers: photo
- The birthplace of eucalyptus, where it grows?
- Eucalyptus is a giant tree: the height of the trunk, the highest eucalyptus.
- Which tree is taller than a chestnut tree, giant eucalyptus or sequoia?
- How many eucalyptus lives?
- How does the eucalyptus multiply?
- How and why does eucalyptus bark eject?
- Who feeds on eucalyptus?
- Mushroom growing next to eucalyptus: the name
- How does eucalyptus help fight malaria?
- Benefits and harms of eucalyptus, where applicable?
- What is made of eucalyptus: bath brooms, blankets, pillows
- Video: How does the EVCALIPT tree grow in Europe?
On our planet grows a huge number of very different trees, which have quite impressive dimensions. But, perhaps, most of all on the background of the others eucalyptus stands out. The main feature of this tree is that at very large crown sizes it practically does not give a shadow.
This is due to the fact that its leaves are all the time located edge to the sun. Such an interesting feature allows the eucalyptus to retain its accumulated moisture for a longer period of time and calmly wait for dry periods.
Eucalyptus - wood: species, looks like flowers: photo
Eucalyptus is a representative of the myrtle family. Scientists call plants of this species natural pumps as they can suck from the ground from 150 to 250 liters of fluid in one day. Adult healthy tree for a year passes through itself about 100 tons of water. Eucalyptus is an evergreen tree, the trunk of which is covered with an easily separated bark. As for the leaves, their shape can vary as the tree grows.
In young plants, they have a rounded shape and a slightly bluish shade. But the older the tree becomes, the longer and green the leaves become. Approximately in the fourth year of life they acquire their elongated form and do not change it any more.
Eucalyptus blossoms also not like other plants. First, in the place of the future flower, a soft to the touch-shaped box is formed, with the bottom, which for some time increases in size and rustles. As soon as this happens, the bottom falls off, the box opens and from it shows an old brush from the hair stamens. This is the eucalyptus flower. Depending on the type of plant, it can have pink, yellow, white or red color.
Kinds of eucalyptus:
- Spherical
- Prutoid
- Giant
- Kamedenosny
- Snow-loving
The birthplace of eucalyptus, where it grows?
The native land of eucalyptus is Australia and Tasmania. In these territories, you can find about 500 species of this green giant. In Australia, eucalyptus, in general, is a forest tree, which grows everywhere. Since it is considered a natural pump, it can be found not only in wild forests, but also on the territory of private farms. These green giants carry out natural land reclamation and people do not have to spend extra money on this.
In addition, eucalyptus can be found in Africa, India and even France. It is true that in these countries grow small species of this plant, which need a minimum supply of moisture. Eucalyptus also tried to grow in our country, but because of the inappropriate climate, it grows poorly. But still some varieties could adapt to our weather conditions, although they can only be seen on the Black Sea coast, for example, in Sochi.
Eucalyptus - giant tree: trunk height, highest eucalyptus
As you have already understood, eucalyptus refers to trees of giants that have a height of more than 70 meters. In a suitable climate, this tree grows quite calmly to a height of 100 meters and has a trunk width at the base of 15 to 30 meters. However, to eucalyptus grew to such a size, he needs ideal climatic conditions, high humidity and a sufficient amount of ultraviolet. Therefore, such giants can be found only in the natural tropics. That is why in the more familiar climatic zone, there are less high eucalypts.
As a rule, they have a height of 40-60 meters and a barrel width of not more than 10 meters. At the moment, the highest deciduous eucalyptus in the world is the giant that will grow in the wild forests of Tasmania. Scientists have established that its dimensions now reach 101 meters in height and 40 meters in width. The uniqueness of this specimen is also that it is the largest flowering tree on the planet.
Which tree is above the chestnut, giant eucalyptus or sequoia?
Although eucalyptus is considered a green giant, it still has rivals who, under favorable conditions, can significantly outrun it in growth. Such a tree is considered to be an evergreen sequoia belonging to the genus of coniferous plants. Under favorable conditions, this tree will calmly grow to a height of at least 110 meters. In 2006, scientists found sequoias on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains with a height of more than 115 meters and a barrel width of more than 11 meters, and for over 10 years the title of the most giant tree on the planet officially belongs to it. Scientists do not disclose the exact location of this unique specimen as they fear that crowds of tourists simply destroy a powerful natural giant.
That's why the public were provided with only photos of the tree, and only a very narrow circle of people knows the exact coordinates of the growth of the sequoia. As for the chestnut, it can also be called a tall growing tree, although in comparison with eucalyptus and sequoias, it will still look like a baby. Even in the wild, this tree does not grow more than 35 meters in height, so for us it may seem quite high, but for people living in Australia or Africa, the chestnut will be quite ordinary deciduous tree.
How many eucalyptus lives?
Eucalyptus is a tree that can live peacefully for at least 500 years, although for this it needs the most favorable conditions. If it gets the right amount of moisture and light, then in 100 years its height will reach 100 meters.
But since at the moment we have quite large environmental problems that strongly affect the climate, even in the tropical climatic zone, the life expectancy of eucalypts has decreased to 400 years.
How does the eucalyptus multiply?
- Eucalyptus refers to cross-pollinated plants on which male and female flowers are found in different trees. Therefore, in order for the pollination to occur, pollen from one eucalyptus falls on another. It is helped by rain, wind and insects. After the flower is pollinated, it forms a box with seeds, which after a while opens and throws the seeds to the ground. Once in the soil, they just lay in it for a couple of days and get moisture.
- Once the moisture is enough, the shift begins to take root and if everything goes right, then after a while a young shoot of eucalyptus is shown from the ground. But so reproduction occurs only in nature. In the event that a person is engaged in the reproduction of eucalyptus, then he only needs to buy seeds from a specialized store and sow them in a container with a good drainage system, which will always fill the soil with the necessary amount of moisture. After the seeds are lowered into the soil, they should be covered with a plastic wrap and put warm in the sun.
- It will help to keep warm and create a semblance of greenhouse effect, which eucalyptus needs for the fastest growth. Also, if you wish, you can try to propagate this tree with cuttings. To do this, you will need to obtain a small, preferably healthy stem, hold it in a disinfecting solution, and then plant it in a soil rich in nutrients.
How and why does eucalyptus bark eject?
Eucalyptus is so unique that it does not even have an update, as it does with other deciduous trees. In contrast to his relatives, he throws off the bark instead of leaves. It is because in the process of renewing the eucalyptus the trunk is completely bare, it is also called "shameless".The tree is the most intensive in the tenth year of life. For the first nine years the eucalyptus grows in height, but when it reaches the age of 10, growth is slightly suspended and intensively begins to increase in the size of the trunk.
At this time, the wood is growing at a fairly rapid rate, and since the crust does not have time for this process, in a certain period it simply starts to move away from the trunk. Sometimes this happens very quickly, and sometimes the bark simply becomes softer and still hangs on the tree for some time with rags. As soon as the entire crust departs, a new smooth layer begins to appear on the trunk, which subsequently will also become rusty and fall off.
Who feeds on eucalyptus?
Eucalyptus leaves are food for koalas, whose life goes exclusively on these trees. It used to be that these animals eat eucalyptus leaves only because they are the source of a huge amount of moisture. But modern scientists have dispelled this myth and proved that koalas, although very rare, but still drink ordinary water.
At the moment, such a predilection for the leaves of this tree is due to the fact that at the height they are well protected from aggressive predators that threaten them on the ground. Since they are very slow, they live, eat, move and multiply on the branches of the eucalyptus and only in the most extreme cases descend to the ground.
Mushroom growing next to eucalyptus: name
Eucalyptus groves are an ideal breeding ground for such an exotic mushroom as a truffle. Its mycelium very tightly wrap the root system of the tree, sometimes even partially adhere to it, and help it more quickly suck in water. And the tree, in turn, gives mushrooms some of its nutrients. This symbiosis helps to develop well both eucalyptus and fungi.
This peculiar truffle as well as its direct relatives grows underground. Therefore, if you want to find a mushroom in the eucalyptus forest, then you will need to carefully dig the soil around the tree. As practice shows, most often fruit truffle bodies are at a depth of 20 cm.
How does eucalyptus help fight malaria?
As already mentioned at the beginning of this article, one adult eucalyptus drinks as much water per day as several stunted trees. That is why it is often planted in wetlands, which are the residence of malarial mosquitoes. Gradually, they dry the top layer of soil, thereby taking away from them the opportunity to fully reproduce. As soon as the soil becomes insignificant, the larvae of mosquitoes begin to die and after a while they themselves also disappear.
The truth of adults is not the absence of moisture, but the unpleasant odor that leaves the eucalyptus leaves. They contain dramatically smelling essential oils, which are very much disliked by malarial mosquitoes. Therefore, if you are planning to have a rest in a country where there is a risk of catching malaria, then take there natural eucalyptus oil and leave it on your hands, feet and ear lobes before going out. Such measures will be sufficient to ensure that malarial mosquitoes do not approach you very closely.
Benefits and harms of eucalyptus, where applicable?
The leaves, roots and bark of eucalyptus contain a huge amount of substances useful to the human body. That is why people very often use them for the preparation of folk remedies intended for the treatment of certain diseases. Also on their basis are prepared various aids for skin, hands, hair and nails.
Eucalyptus is used to treat:
- Infectious diseases
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Increased immunity
- Pustular processes on the skin
- Nail and hair
Benefits of eucalyptus:
- Efficiently and permanently cleans the air in the house
- Beneficially affects the respiratory system
- Helps the circulatory system to be more quickly enriched with oxygen
- Improves blood circulation in the upper layers of the skin
- Improves carbohydrate metabolism
- Helps fight against migraine pain
- Eliminates swelling of the extremities
- Perfectly refreshing breathing
- Increases the body's endurance
Eucalyptus harm:
- May provoke an allergic reaction of the body
- and prolonged use may be an overabundance of some substances in the body
- Promotes increased pressure in hypertensive patients
- May cause mild irritation of the skin and mucous membranes
What is made of eucalyptus: bath brooms, blankets, pillows
If previously only eucalyptus was madeessential oil, but now thanks to scientific progress, mankind has learned to use for its needs all parts of this unique natural giant. Recently, people began to process eucalyptus wood with a special chemical composition. It softens it and turns it into a rather flexible and smooth yarn, from which the pillow filler and dressing are made.
This filler is considered environmentally friendly, so these products can safely buy and asthmatics, and allergies. Another popular product from eucalyptus are bath brooms. They are made from young and flexible branches, which have the strongest aroma. The use of such a broom in a thermae or sauna helps to normalize the respiratory system, and also contributes to the fact that all regeneration processes in the skin are intensified, so that wound and fissure healing is much quicker.