Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1908-02-23
Gum Trees Well
Suited to Arizona

| thought to be less drought-resistant
than the forest red gum, 1t is appar
emily equally resistant to our temper
ature extremes. Its growth is rated,
though somewhat variable some trees
, being tall and straight, others irregu-
4 lar. In Australia 1t is considered one
of the most valuable of eucalypts on
account of the extreme durability of
| its wood. II is being much planted
! in parts of California at this time.
Professor McClatchie recommends the
red gum very highly in his bulletin
on eucalypts cultivated in the United
States. Good specimens OF the red
gum can be seen growing in Phoenix.
It is said that this tree can be planted
in land that is periodically inundated
for a considerable time, also in slight
ly alkaline situations.
Desert gum has been planted more
perhaps In southern Arizona than any
other variety. With favorable condi-
tions, it is said to be one of the most
rapid growing of eucalypts, especially
when young. AT Tucson 1t has shown
itself extremely resistant in summer
heat and winter cold, never having
suffered any injury therefrom. 1t is
also drouth-resistant For ornament
al planting it is one of the best. Its
commonly erect habit, combined with
/ its symmetrical form and dark green
foliage, makes it a desirable tree for
shade or avenue planting. There are
two forms of the species, weeping
one, and an erect oYal-leayed one, the
I latter of which is the more desirable.
Specimens of this tree growing under
rather unfaYorable circumstances CT
the University campus at five years
of age average twenty to twenty-five
! feet in height and five and one-half
to six and one-Aalf inches in diameter.
The desert gum, especially when new
! ly set, is subject to chlorosis or yell
lowing of the leaves which eventually
kills the tree. The disease is known
locally as 'frizzing," from the abnor-
NAL brushlike development of the
young limbs. The affected plants
should be replaced early by healthy
ones.
| Red box is another species equally
resistant to heat, cold and arid condi-
tons. 1t is of more or less erect
habit, usually with a single stem.
/ though not always symmetrical in its
! development. Its silvery-gray round
leaves render it conspicuous plant
| in landscape, contrasting nicely with
trees having dark-green foliage. On
this account it should be used consid-
| erably for ornamental purposes. A
| fine lat OF young trees of the red box
two years after planting may be seen
on the west line of the university
/ average fifteen feet in height and
| three inches in diameter at the base.
| The red box is not desirable for shade
as the desert gum, on account of its
| less dense leaf canopy. There are
probobly few localities in southern Ar
izona having an altitude below 5000
feet, where with sufficient, though
scanty, water supply, these two spe-
cies may not be grown.
Narrow-leayed iron bark also en-
dures nicely the climatic conditions az
/ Tucson. The trunk is ordinarily
straight and of uniform diameter, and
with the yellow-like leave and pendu-
| lous branches gives to the tree a
graceful appearance. The narrow
leayed iron bark is not well known
enough, yet, however, to be highly rec
commended. 1t is also subject to the
chlorotic condition already noted FOR
! desert gum.
! Mamma gum is growing successfully
at Yuma and Phoenix. It is a very
rapid grower and in Australia becomes
one Of the largest of eucalyptus. 1t was
| formerly much planted in California,
| but because its wood is of very Sec
| ondary value, even for fuel, it has
been largely superseded by the red
gum. 1t is said to be of some value
as an ornamental.
With reference to eucalyptus 70 rpar-
| ticUlar localities, the writer would sug-
] gest for attitudes up to 5000 feet, as
on the upper ella, desert gum, forest
red gum, and red gum; for the Salt
river and Colorado river valleys, des-
| ert gum, red gum, red box. forest red
gum, narrow-leaf iron bark and man
ma guM.
/ The most favorable time to set out
eucalyptus is from the middle of Feb
ruary to the first of April, according to
locality. They may be planted from
four to ten feet apart, depending upon
/ the water supply. The closer they are
planted together, the greater will be
their tendency to produce straight tim
Der. Small trees may be obtained
from any of the larger nurseries. The
larger plants VIII give the better re-
suits. Potted plants two to three feet
high in small lots viii cost about
twenty-five cents apiece. These are
especially desirable for ornamental
planting. In order that they may
secure quick transportation they
should be shipped by express. IN
der our conditions OF arid climate and
more or less alkaline sell, the small
planter will find it advisable not to
attempt to grow eucalyptus from seed
in Arizona, as he is almost certain to
meet with failure.