A tree with the colors of the rainbow

Nice, huh? It is the Eucalyptus deglupta, better known as the Eucalyptus of the rainbow for its multicolored trunk. As a good eucalyptus it is, its growth is very fast if the conditions are right. In fact, it is the fastest of the genre.

How fast? It can grow 50 meters in just 25 years. Incredible true?

It is native to the tropics, especially Hawaii. But it has spread to many parts of the world for its undeniable ornamental value.

The Eucalyptus of the rainbow is a tree that can measure neither more nor less than a height 70 meters, with a trunk diameter of more or less one meter. Its light green leaves are perennial; that is, they do not fall in winter. It has the peculiarity that the youngest shoots, are reddish brown, probably to prevent possible leaf eaters from eating them.

Its trunk has a very thin bark, about 3mm, a characteristic that unfortunately does not withstand fires at all.

It lives in muddy terrain, with warm temperatures all year round. It is a tree that requires humidity (both environmental and soil) to be able to develop properly. It does not withstand frost, but it may be able to withstand very light frosts (not less than -2º, and which last for a very short time) once it is adult and acclimatized.

In gardening, the Eucalyptus of the rainbow is used mainly as an isolated specimen, or to delimit areas. It is not a tree to provide shade; rather it is a tree that it is used to decorate the garden by the colors of its magnificent trunk.

The ideal location will be one where there is a lot of light (direct sun) all day, and where you can have enough land to grow normally.

Did you know Eucalyptus deglupta? What do you think?

More information - What we didn't know about evergreens