Blue Gum Eucalyptus Tree California

Starting in the 1870s the first large scale commercial planting of the blue gum eucalyptus e.

Blue gum eucalyptus tree california. It measures 141 feet high with a trunk circumference of 586 inches and a crown spread of 126 feet. The usual story is that 19th century californians encouraged planting of the trees as a quick growing source of. For the most part they re not a problem in the drier regions of southern california or the central valley. Modern myth has it that australians arriving during the gold rush carried blue gum.

Its rapid growth and adaptability to a range of conditions is responsible for its popularity. The blue gum eucalyptus tree originally native to tasmania. Eucalyptus globulus tasmanian blue gum is a tree family myrtaceae found throughout california but has primarily escaped to become invasive along the coast. And there s hardly a plant tale around to top the plot of the blue gum eucalyptus globulus in california.

The blue gum eucalyptus tree is one of the world s best known eucalyptus trees and they re prized for their fragrant blue foliage. An evergreen with fragrant leaves. And to kick things off we ll take a look at what s probably the best known invasive exotic species in california. Erect or spreading and requires ample growing space.

Blue gum is one of the most extensively planted eucalypts. Beyond the drive to change the landscape and provide firewood californians also planted eucalyptus mainly blue gum to serve as windbreaks. Can grow to be a large tree and are often used as a windbreak and shade tree. These trees are easily recognized by their waxy blue leaves and a grayish bark which reveals a smooth contrasting yellowish surface when the bark sheds off in long strips.

Add color and interest to a landscape. Samantha shanahan kqed in fact that was the original purpose of what s now the largest densest stand of blue gum eucalyptus in the world on campus at berkeley says mcbride. Blue gum eucalyptus eucalyptus globulus to the botanists have been a part of the california landscape since the gold rush long enough that legends have sprung up about how they first made it to the state. Blue gum southern gum tasmanian blue gum.

The california invasive plant council cal ipc classifies blue gum eucalyptus as a moderate invasive because the trees need certain conditions to thrive. Non native to california the main species planted are the blue gum red gum sugar gum eucalyptus cladocalyx red ironbark eucalyptus tricarpa silver dollar gum eucalyptus polyanthemos and lemon scented gum corymbia citriodora mcbride 2014. Eucalyptus trees grow fast sometimes putting on 4 to 6 feet in height in a single year. The blue gum a mid sized eucalyptus reaching around 150 to over 200 feet tall is the most common eucalyptus in california.

It has effects on fire danger native plants and wildlife.