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Eucalyptus and soil depletion: quite a bit of a myth

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Proper Eucalyptus crop management = Proper soil management

Gustavo Iglesias Trabado Contact GIT Forestry Consulting
GIT Forestry Consulting - Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal - www.git-forestry.com - EUCALYPTOLOGICS


One of the factors that have been used and abused for the demonisation of Eucalyptus trees is "their ability to deplete soils, so nothing can grow where eucalypts once grew". A myth very in the same line of the "nothing grows under gum trees" one. Pretty surely those propagating these ideas and those giving credit to the previous have never been to the natural habitat of these trees in Australia, whose rich agricultural and livestock production happens each day mainly on previously cleared land once covered with eucalypt forests. And quite possibly myth believers have never been into an eucalypt plantation either.



What is sure is that Eucalyptus can perfectly be grown under sustainable forestry principles, and that knowing your soils and your plants before taking opinion is very important. Soil management under sustainability philosophies relies basically on the simple principle of "what you get out of it should come back". Return nutrients that you extract, or at least try to minimise nutrient losses. Keep the balance. Think long term too.

Eucalyptus nitens early growth post harvest in Galicia, Northwestern Spain / Crecimiento temprano tras cosecha en plantación de Eucalipto nitens, Galicia, España / GIT Forestry Consulting. Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal
Here you have an example. Water, light and soil nutrients transformed into timber grown in short rotations. Timber extraction, but return of nutrients stored in bark, leaves and branches to the soil. Appropriate fertilisation to cover the minimum losses caused by water, cellulose and lignin storage in timber and to aid a next generation of trees to establish well. Et voilà! Healthy soil, and more fast growing timber.

Eucalyptus nitens early growth post harvest in Galicia, Northwestern Spain / Crecimiento temprano tras cosecha en plantación de Eucalipto nitens, Galicia, España / GIT Forestry Consulting. Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal
Generalizing on the interaction of plant crops and soil is never wise. There are many types of soil, and many types of plants. Generalizing on the interaction of Eucalyptus and soils keeps being temerary, since there are several hundred species of the former and many dozen common types of the later. Generalizing on the interaction of a forestry production scheme with soil or other pieces of the ecosystem in which it is established is the equivalent of gossip.

The first persons interested in sustainability of tree farms (be them Eucalyptus based or not) by the implementation of good management practices are investors in such ventures, foresters in care of them and forestry engineers designing them. All in all, we have been following the same philosophy for some two hundred years of forestry science. And we may mistake, but surely learn from it. Some myth propagators apparently don't.

So, if earlier we took a trip from "nothing grows under eucalypts" to "nothing would grow without eucalypts", now we have taken one from "nothing grows where eucalypts once grew" to "crops keep growing where eucalypts once grew". Ironies of tree mythology.

EUCALYPTOLOGICS: GIT Forestry Consulting Eucalyptus Blog / Information Resources on Eucalyptus Cultivation Worldwide / Forestry Engineering, Eucalyptus Seed, Eucalyptus Plants, Eucalyptus Wood, Eucalyptus Honey, Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Eucalyptus Forests, Eucalyptus Plantations, Eucalyptus Timber, Eucalyptus Lumber, Eucalyptus Furniture, Eucalyptus Veneer, Eucalyptus Plywood, Eucalyptus MDF Board, Eucalyptus Cellulose, Eucalyptus Paper, Eucalyptus Biomass, Eucalyptus Energy, Eucalyptus Floristry, Eucalyptus Foliage, Eucalyptus Garden / Ingenieria Forestal, Semilla de eucalipto, Plantas de eucalipto, Madera de eucalipto, Miel de eucalipto, Aceite Esencial de eucalipto, Bosque de eucalipto, Plantacion de eucalipto, Muebles de eucalipto, Tablero de eucalipto, MDF de eucalipto, Celulosa de eucalipto, Papel de eucalipto, Biomasa de eucalipto, Energia de eucalipto, Ramillo Verde Ornamental de Eucalipto, Jardin de EucaliptoGIT's Eucalyptology Topics

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© 2007 Gustavo Iglesias Trabado. Please contact us if you want to use all or part of this text and photography elsewhere. We like to share, but we do not like rudeness.

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Ornamental Eucalyptus in standard containers: add an Australian touch to your garden

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Here you have other three examples of cold hardy ornamental Eucalyptus. These gum trees are not, as we saw in a previous entry, destined to become specimen plants in big containers. These are for direct planting into convenient garden designs in USDA Zone 8. Some of these species would tolerate appropriate microclimates of USDA Zone 7 gardens too.

Cold Hardy Ornamental Eucalyptus for gardens in temperate climates / Eucalipto ornamental resistente a la helada para jardinería en climas templados / GIT Forestry Consulting, Galicia, España, Spain(click image to enlarge)
Cold tolerance: -8ºC to -12ºC
More information?

Cold Hardy Ornamental Eucalyptus for gardens in temperate climates / Eucalipto ornamental resistente a la helada para jardinería en climas templados / GIT Forestry Consulting, Galicia, España, Spain(click image to enlarge)
Cold tolerance: -3ºC to -8ºC
More information?

Cold Hardy Ornamental Eucalyptus for gardens in temperate climates / Eucalipto ornamental resistente a la helada para jardinería en climas templados / GIT Forestry Consulting, Galicia, España, Spain(click image to enlarge)
Cold tolerance: -15ºC to -20ºC
More information?


Some types of Eucalypts can reach noticeable sizes in few years if planted out and not subject to size control by the adecuate interventions of pruning and/or pollarding, so our recommended post-planting management is highly dependant on your garden size, available free space and desired plant shape to match the desired combination with other plants or elements of your garden design.

Please remember these operations do require some caution to avoid undesired effects.

Forget about "just some type of timber trees" and remember Eucalyptus can be one of the most rewarding ornamentals worldwide!

Contact GIT Forestry Consulting / Contact Eucalyptologics / Contacto GIT Forestry Consulting / Contacto Eucalyptologics / Lugo, Galicia, Spain, EspañaContact GIT Forestry Consulting - Eucalyptologics

EUCALYPTOLOGICS: GIT Forestry Consulting Eucalyptus Blog / Information Resources on Eucalyptus Cultivation Worldwide / Forestry Engineering, Eucalyptus Seed, Eucalyptus Plants, Eucalyptus Wood, Eucalyptus Honey, Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Eucalyptus Forests, Eucalyptus Plantations, Eucalyptus Timber, Eucalyptus Lumber, Eucalyptus Furniture, Eucalyptus Veneer, Eucalyptus Plywood, Eucalyptus MDF Board, Eucalyptus Cellulose, Eucalyptus Paper, Eucalyptus Biomass, Eucalyptus Energy, Eucalyptus Floristry, Eucalyptus Foliage, Eucalyptus Garden / Ingenieria Forestal, Semilla de eucalipto, Plantas de eucalipto, Madera de eucalipto, Miel de eucalipto, Aceite Esencial de eucalipto, Bosque de eucalipto, Plantacion de eucalipto, Muebles de eucalipto, Tablero de eucalipto, MDF de eucalipto, Celulosa de eucalipto, Papel de eucalipto, Biomasa de eucalipto, Energia de eucalipto, Ramillo Verde Ornamental de Eucalipto, Jardin de EucaliptoGIT's Eucalyptology Topics

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© 2007 Gustavo Iglesias Trabado. Please contact us if you want to use all or part of this text and photography elsewhere. We like to share, but we do not like rudeness.

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Ornamental Eucalyptus in Big Containers: Tamed Giants

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We have seen that certain Eucalyptus species can easily reach giant sizes in relatively short periods of time. With such a biodiversity within this plant genus (hundreds of species, subspecies, varieties and cultivars) giantism is luckily not always present for all types of gum trees. But a good deal of eucalypt knowledge worldwide has to do with their applications for timber production, and in such cases fast growth, good form and suitability to resist frost events by winter are some of the initial important considerations. However, for the urban gardener, especially if with limited space, alternative options need of some consideration.

(click image to enlarge)
Frost tolerance: -15ºC to -20ºC
More information?

Here you have four examples of tamed cold hardy ornamental Eucalyptus achieving their final destination as plants in big containers, whose frost tolerance makes them suitable for cultivation outdoors in USDA Zone 8 gardens and favourable microclimates of USDA Zone 7 gardens. Some of these can reach giant sizes if planted out and not subject to size control, but can also be kept as container plants with a shrubby habit.

(click image to enlarge)
Frost tolerance: -12ºC to -17ºC
More information?


(click image to enlarge)
Frost tolerance: -12ºC to -15ºC
More information?


(click image to enlarge)
Cold tolerance: -8ºC to -12ºC
More information?

These relatively manageable sizes and shapes need frequent maintenance, especially during the peaks of growth season. Pruning operations must be performed in order not to lose the desired shapes because generally these plants have a strong tendence to develop new leader branches and grow fast to capture more light.

Ocasional training can be necessary, for which some of the bonsai techniques can be applied, just keeping in mind that growth rates (both branch length and calliper) are still very fast compared to other tree species.

Versatile plants, Eucalyptus can be grown in many ways. If you want to add a piece of Australia to your timber planting, big yard, small yard... or no yard... you can!

Contact GIT Forestry Consulting / Contact Eucalyptologics / Contacto GIT Forestry Consulting / Contacto Eucalyptologics / Lugo, Galicia, Spain, EspañaContact GIT Forestry Consulting - Eucalyptologics

EUCALYPTOLOGICS: GIT Forestry Consulting Eucalyptus Blog / Information Resources on Eucalyptus Cultivation Worldwide / Forestry Engineering, Eucalyptus Seed, Eucalyptus Plants, Eucalyptus Wood, Eucalyptus Honey, Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Eucalyptus Forests, Eucalyptus Plantations, Eucalyptus Timber, Eucalyptus Lumber, Eucalyptus Furniture, Eucalyptus Veneer, Eucalyptus Plywood, Eucalyptus MDF Board, Eucalyptus Cellulose, Eucalyptus Paper, Eucalyptus Biomass, Eucalyptus Energy, Eucalyptus Floristry, Eucalyptus Foliage, Eucalyptus Garden / Ingenieria Forestal, Semilla de eucalipto, Plantas de eucalipto, Madera de eucalipto, Miel de eucalipto, Aceite Esencial de eucalipto, Bosque de eucalipto, Plantacion de eucalipto, Muebles de eucalipto, Tablero de eucalipto, MDF de eucalipto, Celulosa de eucalipto, Papel de eucalipto, Biomasa de eucalipto, Energia de eucalipto, Ramillo Verde Ornamental de Eucalipto, Jardin de EucaliptoGIT's Eucalyptology Topics

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© 2007 Gustavo Iglesias Trabado. Please contact us if you want to use all or part of this text and photography elsewhere. We like to share, but we do not like rudeness.

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Eucalyptus: The Giants of Spain & Portugal

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Karri Knight, Grandpa & other Giant Eucalyptus in the Iberian Peninsula

Gustavo Iglesias Trabado
Contact GIT Forestry Consulting
GIT Forestry Consulting - Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal - www.git-forestry.com - EUCALYPTOLOGICS

By 1866 in the neighbourhood of Coimbra (Portugal) the first cultivated forests of Eucalyptus in Iberia were established with the planting of thirty five thousand trees besides the Mondego river and at Mata de Choupal. It was an attempt to tame the stream and control devastating soil erosion caused by floods. Until then, the Australian trees were botanical rarities and relatively uncommon even as ornamental plants in public and private gardens. It was also a long time before they became a paramount timber crop for Northwestern Iberia, but this protective afforestation can be considered the beginning of such an era.

Giant Eucalyptus trees in Spain and Portugal: Karri Knight & Grandpa / Eucaliptos gigantes de España y Portugal: Caballero Karri & El Abuelo de Chavín / GIT Forestry Consulting, Lugo, SpainFig 1: The giant Grandfather of Chavín (Eucalyptus globulus, Spain) and Karri Knight of Vale de Canas (Eucalyptus diversicolor, Portugal), examples of monumental Eucalyptus trees in Europe

In the neighbourhood of Coimbra stands today an eucalypt tree that witnessed those times and that has grown straight and tall from the bottom of a foggy deep gorge in search of light to become the tallest Eucalyptus in Europe. It is the Karri Knight, an Eucalyptus diversicolor from Western Australia.

Four hundred kilometers to the North and twentyfive years later, a small valley in the Northern Coast of Galicia (NW Spain) was subject to works of hydraulic engineering. Its steep slopes and narrow bottom made it suitable for the taming of a rivulet in the Landro-Loureiro basin, which was dammed. Soon a primitive electricity generation plant ("fábrica da luz") brought light to the nights of the foggy coast. A network of channels to divert excess water flow was also built in order to avoid catastrophic floods to the rich agricultural fields down the stream. And here, by the 1890's, the first Eucalyptus were planted in order to, as also happened near Coimbra, stabilize soils.


Eucalyptus grove at Chavín, Souto da Retorta, Lugo, Galicia, Spain. Natural Monument. Tallest Eucalyptus grove in Europe. / Eucaliptal de Chavín, Lugo, España. GIT Forestry ConsultingFig 2: Natural Monument Eucalyptus globulus grove at Souto da Retorta (Chavín, Viveiro, Lugo, Galicia, Spain)

More than a century later, the six hundred 95 to 115 years old Eucalyptus globulus of Chavín grow towering above the steep slopes, their roots drinking directly from channels and rivulet, to become the tallest Eucalyptus grove in Europe. The living Natural Monument at Souto da Retorta is one of the Cathedrals of the Cantabrian Coast, its pillars made of Tasmanian Blue Gums. Sheltered by the giants, a rich understorey of chestnuts, oaks, laurels and ferns grows happily in an unique microclimate.

Several of these trees are special. But tradition marks one of them, O Avó de Chavín (The Grandfather) as the main shrine of this magical place. Towering at 67 meters above that forest floor and with a perimeter at the base of more than 10 meters, Grandpa receives the hugs of countless visitors. In groups of seven!

Coastal Eucalyptus globulus forest in Northern Galicia, Spain / Bosque costero de eucalipto blanco en la Costa Cantábrica de Galicia, España / GIT Forestry Consulting, Lugo, SpainFig. 3: Coastal Eucalyptus globulus rainforest in the Northern Coast of Galicia (Spain)

More than a century later, coastal cultivated and feral forests of Tasmanian Blue Gum dominate the non agricultural landscape of the foggy and narrow "Eucalyptus timberbelt", stretching for miles of intricate ranges near the seashore. Among them, other Eucalyptus Giants. Considering several dimensions!

Contact GIT Forestry Consulting / Contact Eucalyptologics / Contacto GIT Forestry Consulting / Contacto Eucalyptologics / Lugo, Galicia, Spain, España
If anytime you think a visit is worthwhile, and you need a guide talking endlessly on these types of trees, do not hesitate contacting us!



Interesting links


Australian Botanist Dr Dean Nicolle, German Geoecologist Annett Boerner from the Max Planck Society and Spanish forester Gustavo Iglesias from GIT Forestry trek the coastal eucalypt rainforest of Spain and Portugal to measure and assess the tallest Eucalyptus trees in Europe / El botanico australiano Dr Dean Nicolle, la Geoecologa alemana Annett Boerner de la Sociedad Max Planck para el Avance de la Ciencia y el forestal Gustavo Iglesias de GIT Forestry exploran el bosque lluvioso costero de eucalipto de España y Portugal para medir y evaluar algunos de los arboles mas altos de Europa / Gustavo Iglesias Trabado, Roberto Carballeira Tenreiro and Javier Folgueira Lozano / GIT Forestry Consulting SL, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal, Lugo, Galicia, España, Spain / Eucalyptologics, information resources on Eucalyptus cultivation around the world / Eucalyptologics, recursos de informacion sobre el cultivo del eucalipto en el mundo


(more to come, we are hunting them all!)

Have you seen the Giant Eucalyptus Movie?

EUCALYPTOLOGICS: GIT Forestry Consulting Eucalyptus Blog / Information Resources on Eucalyptus Cultivation Worldwide / Forestry Engineering, Eucalyptus Seed, Eucalyptus Plants, Eucalyptus Wood, Eucalyptus Honey, Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Eucalyptus Forests, Eucalyptus Plantations, Eucalyptus Timber, Eucalyptus Lumber, Eucalyptus Furniture, Eucalyptus Veneer, Eucalyptus Plywood, Eucalyptus MDF Board, Eucalyptus Cellulose, Eucalyptus Paper, Eucalyptus Biomass, Eucalyptus Energy, Eucalyptus Floristry, Eucalyptus Foliage, Eucalyptus Garden / Ingenieria Forestal, Semilla de eucalipto, Plantas de eucalipto, Madera de eucalipto, Miel de eucalipto, Aceite Esencial de eucalipto, Bosque de eucalipto, Plantacion de eucalipto, Muebles de eucalipto, Tablero de eucalipto, MDF de eucalipto, Celulosa de eucalipto, Papel de eucalipto, Biomasa de eucalipto, Energia de eucalipto, Ramillo Verde Ornamental de Eucalipto, Jardin de EucaliptoGIT's Eucalyptology Topics

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© 2007-2011 Gustavo Iglesias Trabado. Please contact us if you want to use all or part of this text and photography elsewhere. We like to share, but we do not like rudeness.

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Eucalyptus: taking advantage of quick early growth

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Cold hardy Eucalyptus nitens timber belt in Galicia, Northwestern Spain. GIT Forestry Consulting / Borduras arboladas de eucalipto de las heladas en Galicia, Noroeste de España / Diamter and crown shape in Eucalyptus nitens grown in low competence situations / Crecimiento en diametro y forma de copa en Eucalipto de las Heladas cultivado en situaciones de poca competencia / GIT Forestry ConsultingFig. 1: Timber belt of low-pruned Eucalyptus nitens and Pinus radiata in grazelands (left). Example of diameter growth and crown shape in E. nitens grown with low competence from neighbouring trees (right).


Cold hardy Eucalyptus plantation: survival and early growth in the first 2 years. GIT Forestry Consulting, Galicia, Spain / Supervivencia y crecimiento temprano en una plantación de eucalipto tolerante a la helada de 2 años de edad. GIT Forestry Consulting, Galicia, EspañaFig. 2: Survival and early growth of an E. nitens plantation during its first 2 years after experiencing -10ºC in their first winter

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