Daily Los Angeles herald., 1882-05-27
The Eucalyptus Tree.

OF the Eucalyptus tree, which is such
a favorite in Southern California, both
physicians and other scientists have
nothing but golden words. From the
point of view of mere beauty this tree
can be made very fanciful and charm
ing accessory to lawns and highways.
Our townsman, Mr.. d. V. Waldron, of
the Washington Gardens, has exempli-
fed this fact remarkably ON his exquisite
place at the corner of Main and Wash
ington streets. 1t can be trained to
such giddy heights, in the genial soil of
Los Angeles, in few years, by clipping
the lower branches, that the Imagination
becomes positively dizzy in contemplate
ing its inevitable future vegetable evo-
luton towards high heaven. But it is
by no means as fanciful incident of
garden that the Eucalyptus Globulus,
the species generally cultivated in Los
Angeles, is valuable. The sylvicultur-
lists of the East are beginning to compre-
bend its hygienic properties, and to ap-
preciate the fact that it overshadows in
usefulness nearly every other tree. 1t
comes originally from Australia, where
the tests of various soils and varying
seasons have amply demonstrated the
good qualities of the tree, and its rapid
growth even under adverse surround
ings. Trials Of late years in Southern
Europe have further verified these
claims, and there is no reason why the
tree will not flourish in Gerry section of
the United States. 1t is harder than
the chestnut, and, like the latter, it will
grow in the rockiest soils. 1t is more
independent of rain food than any tree
known in this country, wet and dry sea-
sons alike failing to affect its growth.
Its wood is hard, somewhat of the ma
ture Of yellow pine, but frmer and
stronger, and fit to use in ship timbers,
while in Australia cabinet makers,
wheelwrights and carpenters use it
throughout their trades. The bark
yields febrifuge second only in effic-
iency to quinine, but superior in all med
ical qualities to cinchona. This quality
alone must make the tree invaluable,
and its culture here, to an appreciative
extent, would settle for ever the vexed
question Of quinine duties. The rapidity
OF its growth is its most wonderful fea-
ture. 1t grows four times as fast as the
American pine, and for all ordinary
purposes it is fit to cut in five or six
years. For the Eastern and Middle
States, where the lack of forest protec-
tion is not infrequently felt, no tree has
been offered the culturist that can pre-
sent SO many primary points of vantage
as this Australian immigrant, and its
general introduction and culture should
only be matter of but little time. 1t
may be added, the tree yields fragrance,
but produces no fruit or nut. It's beauty
OF form and luxuriant evergreen foliage
are additional qualities that must recon-
end it in country or city. The people
OF Los Angeles should persevere in their
devotion to this benefcent tree. Exper-
iments, undertaken in the neighborhood
ct Florence, on Mr.. Nadeau's place, and
near Downey, have shown that,
even from the point of view of
fuel, the eucalyptus is highly remunera-
tive. We are not without hope of see
ing dual eucalyptus and pepper tree
avenue extending, some day, from Los
Angeles to Santa Monica, and from Los
Angeles to the Sierra Madre mountains.
A little care, and an insignificant out
lay, would secure to our county the
mostgracious and inspiriting drive. Some
day our people will awaken to their OPP
portunities and utilize them, and the
sooner the better.