Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1908-02-23

NO group or pants, perhaps, is tue
subject of greater inquiry in southern
Arizona at the present time than the
eucalyptus. The importance which this
remarkable genus is assuming in parts
Of California as producer Of good
that can be turned to a variety of
purposes, together with the similarity
of the agricultural valleys of southern
Arizona and certain interior ones of
California where the trees are grown
successfully, is responsible largely for
this growing interest. On account of
the marvellous growth q eucalyptus
which enables the California planter
to net handsome profits from his
groves, it is only natural that their
planting should be given consideration
here.
IL the most drouth-resistant varie
ties of eucalyptus trees are once-well
established during a period of wet
years, or better yet. by means of mod
crate irrigation. there appears 10 be
good cause to believe they may be
grown successfully with limited irri-
cation on lands that are OF cOliary
value for cultural purposes at the pres
ent time On account of limited water
supply. Also the waste, pieces OF land
about the farm, borders of ditch banks,
and even roadsides, might well be
planted with these useful trees.
Examples are known of small groups
Of eucalyptus three growing in valley
lands which are usually deep and al
luviaI in nature. for periods Of six to
ten years without irrigation. Not in
frequently the underflow in these val
levs is within the reach of these deep
roofing trees. which undoubtedly eX-
plains in part their ability to grow
under such extremely arid conditions.
However. the writer would warn the
practical planter not to expect too
much from trees growing with lin
tied water supply.
In addition to the possible economic
value of eucalyptus, several varieties
have shown themselves to be valuable
additions to cur list of shade and or
namental trees, AS ornamentals they
arb evergreen, which is Eesiraibl9
feature in q region with as little color
as our own. and possessed of pleas
ing aroma. They have thus far been
found free from fungus and insect
pests, and unlike decidious trees, 40
not cast a litter of fallen leaves each
year: although some of them shed
considerable bark.
Eucalyptus to grow in the warmer
parts of Arizona must be able to en-
dure maximum temperatures from 1OS
degrees to 100 degrees F., with low
humidity and intense sunlight, and
also survive ten to twenty degrees OF
frost in winter. 1t will be interesting
IN note that almost without exception
the varieties that are capable OF grow
ing under a wide range of conditions
in California are the identical ones
that succeed best with us. Except in
sheltered situations, it remains to be
seen whether any of the species can
be grown with success at attitudes
above $500 to 5000 feet.
The species that have been found
to withstand best the above conditions
are the forest red gum, red, gum. des-
ert gum, red box, narrow leayed iron
bark and mana gum According to
Professor McClatchie, sugar gum,
white gum, and gray bark grow sue
cessfully at Yuma and Phoenix; and
there is even a possibility that blue
gum will survive in the plI.dest Sit
nations near Yuma. Witt further
study other species will undoubtedly
be found that will resist equally well
our heat, aridity and cold
Forest red gum is a Tapid-growing
tree, and considered valuable in Aus
tralia for it's lumber. When planted
near together the trees become tail
and erect with uniform trunks, while
IL scattered, they are likely to grow
stocky and branched. A small clump
of this species is growing in the santa
Cruz valley three miles northwest OF
Tucson. These have never suffered
any injury from our wide range OF
Temperatures. 1t is stated that they
have not been irrigated during the
past six years At this time they are
about twelve years old and the taller
ones range from fifty-five to seventy
feet high, with trunk diameters four
teen to seventeen inches.
Red gum is quite similar in appear
ance to the last species, being nearly
related botanically. Though 1t Is