3) Be used either by the broken leaves alone or possibly as a combination of both leaves and the gum from the trees as a form of a poultice. Whole Eucalyptus Leaves, Natural Eucalyptus Herb Leaves, 114g (4.0 oz) 4.6 out of 5 stars 61. This doesn't guarantee that their particular tree will develop similar hues, though. If I had one in my yard I fear I would be so by it that I would never do anything but adore it. Thank you, Tricia. They require a lot of water as well as warmth. People who would like to grow the tree should be aware that the colours are often much less intense when the tree is growing outside its native habitat. The colours that the trunk develops may be disappointing. When these leaves are pressed, they release a relaxing and pleasant scent. The bark is reminiscent of an artist’s painting, like the brilliant strokes of paint splashed liberally across the canvas, the bark glistens in the seven-hued rainbow colors. Thank you very much for the comment. Tours are available for people to look at the trees. This eucalyptus tree, belongs to the Myrtaceae family and is also known as the Mindanao gum, or rainbow gum. I am going to ask him if he saw these spectacular trees when he was there. Leaves Curling Up - I just planted four eucalyptus trees and the leaves have started curling up. This enables people to admire the species without growing their own specimen. It is usually planted alongside wide roads. Rainbow eucalyptus trees can be an impressive landscaping element. For some lovers of rainbow eucalyptus, the disadvantages of growing their own tree are not a problem. Some places have small areas with a microclimate that is warmer than the hardiness zone data for the area indicates, which is something else to consider. If you contact the San Antonio Botanical Garden, the staff might be able to tell you where rainbow eucalyptus trees have been planted in the state. Is there anything I could do to protect it? Congratulations on the Hub of the Day award! Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on October 08, 2015: Thank you very much for the kind comment, Scribenet! Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! But I want to see some real ones. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. The rainbow eucalyptus is an unusual tree with a beautiful trunk. Not a lot info about that. It is one of the fastest growing trees (one specimen reached a height of 32 feet in just about 18 months) growing at over 3 feet per year. Yes, the rainbow eucalyptus trees with the vivid colours are truly amazing. If there’s room in a garden, it’s better to allow some extra space in case the tree becomes large, and its roots spread a long distance from the trunk. The flowers are pollinated by bees and are full of nectar, making them a good source of honey. I like the ones with the palers colours, too. Young trees have a conical crown with a leader and almost horizontal branches. Linda Crampton is a writer and teacher with an honors degree in biology. Alicia, although I've commented on this hub awhile back, I wanted to congratulate you for the HOTD, too! Very interesting read. Answer: Red leaves often indicate that a tree is under some stress. They do have stamens and a pistil, however. A very informative hub. But the video shows the colours in all their glory, and the video and the text shows and explains how the colours are produced and change as each layer of bark is exposed to the air and then peels away. Voted up! Would a rainbow eucalyptus likely survive this environment? Today, people are seeing more problems with their eucalyptus bushes. ► Termites and beetle borers can cause a lot of harm to the tree, especially young plants. I never even knew about this, until now. I don't think I've ever seen it here in Australia. The potential height and spread of a mature tree needs to be kept in mind if someone wants to grow one, however. Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on February 05, 2015: How cool is that. I hope to see it in person someday. I think they're so pretty. Hi, Cyndi10. Well deserved HOTD. Thanks for commenting. Question: I have two rainbow eucalyptus trees, about 4' in height. Great article. As with all eucalyptus leaves, the rainbow tree eucalyptus leaves give off a strong aroma when crushed. Thanks :). Someone who wants to grow a tree should look at the colours that tend to develop in their part of the world, either in real-life specimens or in photos. Question: Are the rings of a cross section colorful as well? Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on October 03, 2017: Hi, Willow. ► The rainbow eucalyptus is entirely intolerant of frost and cannot thrive in cold climates. I agree - the bark does sometimes look like an abstract painting. Well-deserved! Thank you for the congratulations. The numerous stamens look like tassels and surround the single, green pistil. A lovely side effect of this process is the changing colour of the trunk. I love your idea about the benefit of a rainbow eucalyptus tree! It is a large, fast-growing, evergreen tree, with broad leaves that has a life span of 50-150 years. Voted this one UP,etc. In addition, a variety of new colours are produced. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. Answer: I’ve read two reports related to your question from people who have rainbow eucalyptus trees. Voted up! The difference in the minimum temperature in zone 9a and 9b might be important with respect to the plant’s successful growth. With its multicolored bark, the rainbow eucalyptus is a delight to witness. I would love to own on for a lot of reasons, but one of the best would be to let it inspire me to write children's stores. Answer: I can’t say whether the tree is invasive in your area because I don’t know where you live. Answer: Yes, as I mention in the article, rainbow eucalyptus produces fruits known as gum nuts or gumnuts. The trunk, a… I have friends in my area that ordered the same trees but their trees still have green leaves. ► If marsh-like conditions are prolonged, the water can lead to root rot. Eucalyptus leaves are leathery and hang from the branches. It is the only Eucalyptus species found naturally in the Northern Hemisphere. It is unique in the Eucalyptus group for naturally growing outside Australia. What gives this tree its unique characteristic and several other facts about the same will be highlighted here. shrubs or trees make attractive landscaping plants with their showy red or white flowers and aromatic leaves. From shop BugambiliaArtPrints ... Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree - art print - Hawaiian painting - Colorful Tropical Decor - Hawaiian Interior Design - Eucalyptus deglupta Nature sure has its surprises. If they're used as an ornamental tree, they should be planted in an area where their trunks will remain visible and where there is plenty of room for them to spread up and out as they grow. The rainbow eucalyptus would certainly be a beautiful ornamental tree. Definitely deserving of Hub of the Day! I have not been to Hawaii, but my husband has. Rebecca Be from Lincoln, Nebraska on January 30, 2015: Someone recently posted a picture of one of the Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree on TSU and I could not believe my eyes. 99 ($3.75/Ounce) Get it as soon as Fri, Dec 4. Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on February 15, 2015: Thank you very much for the kind comment, Deb! Hi, Lady Fiddler. When crushed, the leaves give off a mild, aromatic after smell. Question: Can rainbow eucalyptus grow in zones 8b and 9a? Although, as many people would like to believe, the end product is white like any regular paper and does not take on a rainbow hue. Both my trees are healthy. Gum trees are a group of eucalyptus species with a smooth bark that is periodically shed. Spectacular...thanks for the introduction, Angels are on the way to you this evening ps. Well done my friend. The oil must be sufficiently diluted before use. It would be wonderful if a rainbow eucalyptus could grow as a bonsai tree! This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Thank you for commenting. Besarien from South Florida on April 20, 2015: The colors are stunning! The bark is light brown in color until it begins to shed its layers―once the bark begins to shed (which happens during the summer), it reveals a light green color underneath. While fixating on the colors is pretty natural, there are several other factors that make the rainbow eucalyptus a very interesting gift of nature. The concentrated form is dangerous if it's taken internally or if it comes into contact with the skin. The beautiful "Rosea" variety of Eucalyptus leucoxylon; the pink tassels are the stamens, Jean Tosti, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 License. The rainbow eucalyptus is like an abstract painting that keeps on changing. Eucalyptus rainbow tree leaves are lance-shaped and grow up to 6” (15 cm) long. The rainbow eucalyptus is greatly admired and is often planted deliberately, either for its appearance or for its other benefits. Question: How old should a tree be to begin shedding? Growing one would indeed be worthwhile. Sometimes you may see a few leaves have been cut or removed- this is intentional. The tree requires heavy sunlight for optimum growth. So unusual and pretty at the same time. whonu. Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on February 05, 2015: Thank you very much for the lovely comment and for the vote and share, Patricia. They make much less oil than the leaves of some other species of eucalyptus, however, and aren't used for the commercial production of the oil. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Answer: The tree requires a zone 10 or 11 environment, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden. We hope you are enjoying Gardenerdy! High in antioxidants. The plants are apparently hard to find amongst all the other trees, so a guided tour may be useful. If given full sun and moist soil rainbow eucalyptus will grow fast - up to 3 feet and year. Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on February 09, 2015: Thank you very much, Vellur. Although you cannot eat fresh, whole eucalyptus leaves, dried leaves can be … I've never travelled along the highway, but it's said to have other attractions besides the rainbow eucalyptus trees, including waterfalls. The wood of the eucalyptus tree is also commonly used to make didgeridoos, a traditional Australian Aboriginal wind instrument. The stamens and the pistil then emerge from the bud. The bark of the tree can have beautiful colours, but the inner wood is much like that of other trees and is white in colour. The rainbow eucalyptus can easily achieve a height of over 250 feet in its natural habitat. The bark starts shedding to reveal a light green color underneath. Thanks once again for piquing my curiosity and answering so many questions. The highway is famous for having over 600 curves and over 50 bridges, many of them with only one lane. The Missouri Botanical Garden says the tree grows best in zones 10 to 11. I have read that it’s considered to be invasive in some parts of the United States. Rumour says that koalas sleep so much due to the influence of the leaves' oil in their diet. This eucalyptus tree, belongs to the Myrtaceae family and is also known as the Mindanao gum, or rainbow gum. 40 feet may be okay, but it’s a little risky. The tree is often planted in the hope that it will develop an attractive trunk. Congrats! Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on September 18, 2017: Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on April 27, 2016: Thank you very much for the congratulations, Alun. Eucalyptus trees are common in the Andes mountains of Peru, but I´ve never seen this variety. Every individual tree also requires a lot of space to grow to its optimum width and height. The time when the colours appear may vary based on the climate and the growing conditions, however. She loves to study nature and write about living things. Peg Cole from Northeast of Dallas, Texas on May 04, 2015: When I first saw these photos I couldn't believe they were real. ► In the swampy areas of Africa, the tree was planted such that it would soak up the excess water and prevent the breeding of mosquitoes, thus preventing malaria. Question: Does the tree grow in zones 9 to 11 or zones 10 to 11? I appreciate your visit. I watched the interesting video. The garden's web page says that the rainbow eucalyptus grows in zones 10 and 11. Very little work has been done to discover why the different colours are produced, however. I appreciate the congratulations! I saw these beautiful trees on a trip to Maui with my husband. They release a pleasant scent when crushed. I appreciate the comment and the vote! Professor David Lee is a botany professor at Florida International University who has explored the production of colour in plants. In reality, the digestion of the leaves requires a lot of energy and provides limited nutrition. Answer: The rainbow eucalyptus has a spread of up to 125 feet, so it should be planted at least 60 feet away from a building to allow for this spread. What a beautiful tree, and beautiful hub! It is commonly known as the Coolibah tree. This is certainly a beautiful tree. The name refers to the fact that the operculum covers the stamens and pistil. Now I will have to find a source and see if I can bonsai one :-). Timing, Timing, Timing: When to Mulch Your Garden & Yard. It typically grows in regions that are moist and humid, like tropical forested areas which receive heavy rainfall. Answer: Unfortunately, no. I agree - the rainbow eucalyptus is an awesome tree. The rainbow eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta) is native to the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. $14.99 $ 14. I would be constantly looking at my rainbow eucalyptus if I had one in my garden, too! These trees are awesome. Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on March 19, 2019: Larry Slawson from North Carolina on March 19, 2019: Wow! Both people live in Florida. According to the Missouri Botanical Garden reference, it's winter hardy to USDA zones 10-11 and does best in full sun and in a medium to wet, rich soil. The rainbow eucalyptus can easily achieve a height of over 250 feet in its natural habitat. Emily Tack from USA on February 01, 2015: Wow! Continue to keep the soil moist. Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on March 07, 2015: Thank you very much, Kristen. The protective magick of Eucalyptus is short-lived but very potent. Would you like to write for us? Fast-growing, Eucalyptus deglupta (Rainbow Gum) is a large evergreen tree noted for its incredibly colorful bark. I hope you are able to see a rainbow eucalyptus in real life one day. Question: Does the rainbow eucalyptus make fruits? 5 out of 5 stars (42) 42 reviews $ 10.00. The seeds are tiny and may be difficult to handle. Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on February 12, 2015: The closeup photos of that bark almost looks like an abstract painting. We're used to beautiful colours in the flowers and fruits of trees and in their autumn leaves, but a coloured trunk is an oddity. I learned something new today. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The rainbow eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta),also known as the Mindanao gum or rainbow gum, is a tall, broad-leaved evergreen tree which grows up to a height of around 200 feet in its native habitats. Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on January 30, 2015: Hi, Pamela. Good read with loads of valuble information. Eucalyptus deglupta, commonly called Mindanao gum or rainbow eucalyptus, is a very large, fast-growing, broadleaved evergreen tree that is native to moist humid tropical forested areas with high rainfall in New Guinea, Indonesia and the Philippine Islands (Island of Mindanao).It is the only eucalyptus tree that is indigenous to the northern hemisphere. Lemon-scented gum (Eucalyptus citriodora) is also hardy in USDA zones 8 through 11. How beautiful! It has rounded, gray leaves clustered in rows along stems, hence its alternate name, silver dollar tree. A multicoloured cross section would be an interesting and lovely sight! For them, the novelty and potential beauty of the tree makes having one on their property very worthwhile. The dried leaves and oil are used to make medicine. Eucalyptus wall art, Botanical Minimalist decor, Set of 2 Eucalyptus leaves printable, Botanical printable art, Plant art, 5x7, 8x10, 11x14 BugambiliaArtPrints. A grove of rainbow eucalyptus trees is beautiful to observe. They are certainly amazing trees! Thank you very much for the comment, stevbonhage. Thank you very much for the comment and the congratulations, colorfulone! You have packed a lot of information about the tree in your hub. I hope to get a HOTD someday, when you'll return the favor. Since both the bark and the leaves of your trees are red, an expert's opinion would be valuable. Of the many wonders that nature has to offer, the rainbow eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta) has got to take one of the top spots. Thank you very much for the kind comment. Some species in the genus produce copious amounts of oil, which is volatile as well as aromatic. It is very common for Rainbows to have bright red to pink new leaves, along with some reddish coloration on older leaves. Pollination is usually carried out by bees. When the Eucalyptus deglupta reaches 10 to 12 inches in height, it is ready to be transplanted into the landscape. The overall effect is lovely and gives the tree its "rainbow" name. The shedding and colour change happen at different times in different parts of the trunk. On some trees, the colours are so vibrant and rich that they look artificial. Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree Barrette, Sublimated Photo on Aluminum, French barrette Hair Clip, Eucalyptus as a wearable art piece, Hair Barrette KorysPhotography. Problems with eucalyptus trees are a fairly recent occurrence. Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 08, 2015: Thank you very much for the lovely comment, Audrey. Overtime, the light shade turns into a dark green color which runs into shades of blue, pink, red, purple, orange and every other color of the rainbow. In addition to being used as a medicine, the oil is used as an insecticide and a fragrance component. Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on February 02, 2015: Hi, vespawoolf. So are your pictures. I hope you have a great week, too. I appreciate your comment very much. A lot of Eucalyptus trees have attractive bark but this is so colourful, as you say, it almost looks artificial. Zone 9b has milder winter temperatures than zone 9a. All eucalyptus trees and shrubs belong to the genus Eucalyptus, which is in the myrtle family, or the Myrtaceae. I'd love to see a photo of your bonsai rainbow eucalyptus, hostaguy! Victory Gardening in 2020: Spring is Not Cancelled, Green Pavement Creates Beautiful Environmental Solutions, How to Make or Choose the Best Weed Killer Spray, How to Use & Source Eco Mulch for Your Garden. Each layer of bark is covered by a thin, transparent layer of cells which allows us to see the chlorophyll stored in the cells underneath. The colours and vibrancy of different trunks vary, but the plant is always interesting to see. In the Philippines, the tree is harvested for pulp wood to make paper. Smooth, its orange bark peels in summer to reveal multicolor streaks of blue, purple, orange and maroon. I agree - it is a gorgeous tree. As the tree matures, the colors constantly change. Thanks for introducing it to me. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. It grows in the Philippines, New Guinea, and Indonesia where it thrives in tropical forests that get a lot of rain. Thanks for the visit. It is one of the fastest growing trees (one specimen reached a height of 32 feet in just about 18 months) growing at over 3 feet per year. Answer: People who grow rainbow eucalyptus in North America say that the trees don’t develop a coloured bark until they are about three years old and the trunk is about two to three inches thick. This was a very interesting and hub loaded with beautiful pictures. I live near San Antonio. The active ingredient in the oil is known as eucalyptol or cineol. The tree produces white flowers and has moderately wide, evergreen leaves. More research needs to be performed in relation to its possible benefits, however. Eucalyptol is a useful but potentially toxic chemical. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Some sources recommend that it be planted at least 40 feet away from a building.