The San Francisco call., 1909-03-14
EUCALYPTUS MAY
BE GROWN IN TEXAS
Government Forest Service Will
Make Experiments on Gulf
Coast With Trees

ALBUQUERQUE, Mar. 1S.-Plans are
being made to have a special study un-
dertaken by representative of the
future to determine the feasibility of
the culture of the eucalyptus tree in the
lower Rio Grande valley and along the
gulf coast of Texas.
The Importance of eucalyptus culture
from a commercial standpoint in Cali
fornia has within the last few months
aroused general interest throughout
the country concerning these rapid
growing trees, and the district Office
of the forest service at albuquerque
receives almost daily inquiries as to the
feasibility of planting eucalyptus in the
southwest, particularly in the state of
Texas.
Eucalyptus are native the the coast
region of Australia and Tasmania
where at least $50 distinct species are
recognized. They were introduced into
California about 1850 and first planted
near San Francisco for ornamental
purposes The extremely rapid growth
of certain species, their value for fuel,
lumber and special products have re-
suited In the undertaking Of extensive
Investigations concerning the habits of
these trees and their commercial uses
and possibilities. Fully 100 species
have been introduced into the United
States.
BLUE GUM IN CALIFORNIA
Among the most important species at
present planted in this country are
blue gum, sugar gum, gray gum, red
gum and mama gum. Blue gum is ono
of the largest and most rapid growing
trees in the world. In California. un-
der favorable conditions, trees have at
tanned height of 175 feet and a diam
eter of feet in 25 years. while in ex-
ceptional instances individual trees
have reached height of 125 feet and a
diameter of feet in 9 years Sprouts
from the stumps of eucalyptus trees
frequently reach 8 inches in diameter
and So feet in height in months.
The. wood of the blue gum is princi-
pally valuable for fuel and lumber. al
though it finds numerous other uses
Eucalyptus OIL a drug Of considerable
commercial Importance, is distilled from
the leaves.
Sugar gum is also very rapid
grower. but like blue gum will not toll
crate much frost Red gum and gray
gum. while possibly a little slower in
growth than these, are more drought
and frost resistant. They are being
planted extensively owing to the dur
ability of their timber in contact with
the soil and its many commercial uses
Both red gum and gray gum are val
liable for piles, ties, posts and poles.
while the wood of red gum is said to he
considered an excellent substitute for
mahogany. Mama gum is also faiSIv
frost resistant and is a rapid grower
The wood, however, is principally val
liable for fuel.
BOUNDED BY FROST LINE
The eucalyptus are adapted to a sub
tropical climate and the limits within
which they may be planted for CONNER
cial purposes in this country NAV he
broadly defined as that bounded bv the
frost line They are therefore ADAPTED
for planting in the warmer portions of
California and in parts of southern
Arizona and Texas. 1t is not likely
that they can be grown with any de-
gree of success in New Mexico Few of
the eucalyptus can survive tempera-
ture lower than 20 degrees Fahrenheit,