Bloomin' Beautiful
WHEN people overseas think of Australia their minds often go to kangaroos, koalas and the ever-popular gum tree (often called eucalyptus).
There are actually about 700 species of eucalypts comprising eucalyptus, corymbia and angophora, all varying slightly.
You will all be familiar with what I would call the “normal” gum leaf shape, which is elongated and very elegant. On some gums, however, the leaf is more squat or rounded and a few have different types of juvenile leaves.
The colour varies from avocado-type green to almost a blue grey. The trunk can be a major identifying factor. Flower colour varies from white to cream, orange, red and shades thereof. In mid-summer, a Corymbia ficifolia (WA Flowering Gum) in full flower must be one of the most beautiful sights in the world.
The river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) is probably the most widespread member of this family because it has been “exported” to so many countries. In some, it has become an environmental weed. Worldwide it is the most commonly grown eucalypt in commercial plantations.
This particular gum can tolerate flood and drought but it does need a certain amount of water to keep it alive. When stressed it will drop leaves and branches to relieve its need for more water.
Actually, all eucalypts, in general, will do this, and have gained the reputation of being the “widow-maker tree”. Often on a hot day with no wind, a person standing under the tree will hear a crack and before they know it the branch has fallen on them.
Fine timber for furniture, flooring and timber panelling is also derived from the river red gum.
The material from lesser- quality harvests is utilised in the manufacture of wharfs, fencing timber, house stumps and landscaping materials. It is also used to make railway sleepers – while concrete ones last longer, they are more expensive, both in the production and in terms of the environment, and are less flexible.
A trip to the Murray River is something special, with river red gums lining each bank, the interesting brown water, the many birds and a real sense of peace pervading the whole scene.
Australia is truly blessed.
