Up From Oz

Tall drink of water

While taking pictures for the previous post I was struck by the sight of our enormous eucalyptus tree … easily close to 100 feet tall, it may be the tallest tree in the neighborhood and can be seen from a great distance. Realizing I didn’t really know much about this tree (other than Koalas appear to enjoy a leisurely nosh on their leaves) I did some investigation: Eucalyptuses are from the myrtle family of flowering trees and shrubs, and there are more than 700 species, most native to Australia and Tasmania. They’re also called ‘gum trees’ because they’re very sappy at bark breaks. They have many uses, which include employing their oils for medicinal purposes, and as insecticides. (I’m partial to this eucalyptus-scented room spray for parties) The most fascinating fact I found was that eucalyptuses are sometimes planted to combat malaria! How? Well, they absorb large quantities of water from underground, preventing water accumulation. This deprives malaria-carrying mosquitoes their breeding ground; no standing water, no mosquito larvae incubation ward. And, while it’s true Koala bears do love their leaves, so, too, does that other, less-cuddly marsupial, the possum. *shudder* Fast growers, eucalyptuses also rival redwoods in the height department … even growing taller than the famed California Sequoia. I’m not sure ours will grow so tall, but when I look up at it, especially when lit at night, it seems to go on forever …

Bob, and wife, in eucalyptus shadow

Eucalyptus trees shed their bark in great, long shreds, and ours is no different. I didn’t notice this so much when the area outside our fence was cluttered with the previous pepper trees, but now that it’s clear I’m amazed by how much falls daily. As the bark falls off, it leaves great diagonal striations on the tree’s trunk, and the contrasting colors of the dry bark shreds and newly exposed trunk is really beautiful. The trunk itself, once laid bare, is also very interesting and in some ways has the look of smooth, cool flesh. A true tree-hugger’s delight, it really feels good to wrap one’s arms around it, pressing first one cheek, then the other, to the pinky-brown expanse (ahem) … It’s a myth that oils from eucalyptus trees will somehow injure plants growing nearby, and it’s also myth that they’re invasive. Eucalyptus comes from the Greek word for ‘well-covered’ and refers to the calyx that surrounds and protects the flower. The nectar produced by these flowers is a favorite of bees and other insects, as well as possums.*shudder* Our eucalyptus also has the added visual interest of having branches and foliage mostly on the left side, probably because of high winds each day in the late afternoon and early evening. It has a slight lean that makes it seem a little precarious. I love our eucalyptus — I’ve hugged our eucalyptus.