Eucalyptus urophylla

Cultivation Details

Eucalyptus urophylla is a plant of humid and sub-humid tropical areas, where it is found at elevations from sea level up to 3,000 metres^[1]. It is found in areas with a mean annual temperature of 24 - 28°c and a mean annual rainfall of 700 - 2,500 mm^[1]. In its natural range the rainfall is monsoonal with 2 - 8 dry months per year^[2]. Develops best on deep, moist, well-drained, acidic or neutral soils derived from volcanic or metamorphic rock^[1]. It is also commonly found on basalt, schist and slates, but rarely on limestone^[1]. It tolerates poor soils as long as the texture is loose^[2]. A fast-growing tree, especially when young. Trees in one planting had reached an average height of 27 metres when 8 years old^[3]. Flowering usually starts within 2 years from planting^[1], and good seed production starts around the age of 4 years^[3].. The tree has good coppicing ability and can be expected to produce at least 3 coppice rotations after the initial seedling rotation^[1]. Eucalyptus species have not adopted a deciduous habit and continue to grow until it is too cold for them to do so. This makes them more susceptible to damage from sudden cold snaps. If temperature fluctuations are more gradual, as in a woodland for example, the plants have the opportunity to stop growing and become dormant, thus making them more cold resistant. A deep mulch around the roots to prevent the soil from freezing also helps the trees to survive cold conditions. The members of this genus are remarkably adaptable however, there can be a dramatic increase in the hardiness of subsequent generations from the seed of survivors growing in temperate zones^[4]. Eucalyptus monocultures are an environmental disaster, they are voracious, allelopathic and encourage the worst possible attitudes to land use and conservation^[4].