Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-02
VALUE OF EUCALYPTUS TREES

VALUE OF EUCALYPTUS TREES
The rapidity with which eucalyptus
trees attain marketable proportions Is
difficult to state authenticity, pe-
cause of the vast variation in the con-
ditions which surround them. Climate,
soil, water and care influence the
growth of the trees to a great extent
When trees are planted and left TO
grow by themselves without care they
do not attain marketable proportions
as quickly as trees which are irrigated
and cultivated during the dry season
At the age of five years the difference
in growth is very marked. Many trees
attain a diameter of ten or eleven
inches and a height of 120 feet but
such growths are due to advantageous
conditions.
At five years a tree is too young to
become a standard of measurement.
In determining the value of grove
many trees at this age are not or
profitable or marketable size. Ihey
can be cut for firewood, but should
not be sacrificed for that purpose.
They are of more value as growing
trees than as firewood.
At seven years of age the larger ana
better growths reach a diameter of
twelve to fourteen inches but at TINS
age there are still many small trees
and the average of a grove at seven
wears does not exceed seven or eight
inches. Trees which have attained ten
inches or more can be cut out ana d
good profit derived from their sale as
poles, piles or timber, but the average
of the grove is too small diameter to
make general cutting profitable.
At ten years of age the trees will be
of marketable size. The larger trees
reaching a diameter of two to three
feet, and a height of 125 to $50 feet.
Ten years is a reasonable time in
which to expect good returns, and is
therefore adopted as the most prac-
tical period of development
Ten years seems, therefore, to be
satisfactory age upon which to base
calculations as to the value of the
average grove.
Circular No. 2, issued by the state
board of forestry gives extensive
tables of measurements taken in groves
scattered throughout the state OF Cal
ifornia. growing in all sorts OF SOIL
and usually without any care. These
measurements include groves when
have as many as 1900 to 1900 trees TO
the acre, which indicates from two to
five sprouts on each stump. Neces-
sarily such sprouts are smaller than
If only one or two nad Deen lell W
grow on each stump.
Calculations based upon the meas
urements given in the circular referred
to show the average size of ten-year-
old tree grown under the foregoing
conditions to be eleven inches in diam
eter breast high and ninety-two feet
in height. These measurements were
made of blue gum plantations.
In view of the fact that the groves
measured were not, as rule, proper
lv irrigated or cultivated, it is to be
supposed that any plantation of the
rapid growing varieties will more than
equal the measurements given. 1t Is
safe, however, for any planter to figure
that his trees will average as large.
But it is also true that plantations
which are properly set and have good
care for the first two or three years
will greatly exceed the present aver
age throughout the state. 1t is also
a fact that in every grove there are
a few trees which grow to the eX-
treme proportions, and such trees may
be cut at a younger age. thus making
room for the smaller trees to develop.
Tho punoher of trees in plantation