Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 197, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 August 1910 — The TALLEST TREE THAT GROWS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The TALLEST TREE THAT GROWS

By EDGERTON R. YOUNG

N THESE days, when the reforesting of the waste lands of our country' is becoming a question of such national importance, the study of the relative value of different species of trees is naturally very essential. Scientific parties are scouring the earth in search for new plants, fruits and vegetables to

add to our enjoyment and happiness A good degree of success has already attended their efforts, and doubtlesswlnuch more will yet be accomplished by them? Owing to the rapidly increased price of timber and lumber, the matter of forest-grow-ing Is of vital interest to the great corporations like the railroads, manufacturing and building companies, that must have, for their very existence, vast quantities of timber and lumber. The timber required by the railroads for the one item of railroad ties, not taking into consideration the quantity used in the construction of cars and buildings, consumes the output of many hundreds of thousands of acres of timber lands every year. While undoubtedly the valuable trees Indigenous to America will be most largely replanted and utilized, many others that are not natives of thjs continent, when found by experiment to be easily grown and of value, will also be imported and largely cultivated. In the case of the eucalyptus this has already been done, and so extensively is the tree now grown in California, and so many and valued are its uses, that it will be news to multitudes to hear that there still live many who remember when it was first brought into that state

by the late Bishop Taylor from distant Australia, its original home. It was a surprise, as well as a revelation, to find on our recent visit to Australia that in that far-away land, under the Southern Cross, were growing trees that towered in the air 150 feet higher than the great Sequoia, the famous red wood of our American west; and yet such is the fact, as some specimens of the Eucalyptus amygdalina reach to the great height of 480 feet. Specimens abound that are from 120 to 200 feet in circumference. They are practically of no use for commercial purposes, as' the expense of cutting down such enormous trees and then getting their logs split up into pieces that can be handled is so great that these monsters are passed by the thrifty lumbermen for the smaller ones that are more easily handled. The Eucalyptus amygdalina is 1 the tallest, if not perhaps the largest, tree that grows. Specimens over 400 feet high are frequently found, while some have been measured towering up to 470 and 480 feet. The timber of these great specimens is easily worked, and, as it does not warp readily, is much used in carpentry.

The eucalyptus tree is a genus of trees and shrubs of the natural order of Myrtacea, embracing about 150 species. All but four of them are natives of Australia and Tasmania only. The eucalyptus trees are so abundant tn many parts of Australia that over vast areas they are practically the only trees visible. The fact that the fully developed trees are destitute of symmetry and beauty robs the great Australian wooded regions of that attractiveness and charm which gives such pleasure and delight to the primeval forests of America. One striking characteristic of several varieties of the eucalyptus is that, while they never seem to shed their leaves, they feast or slough off their bark in long strips every year. The leaves, which have a leathery appearance, contain a considerable quantity of volatile oil. The tincture or oil extracted from them has a bitter aromatic and is extensively used as * remedy for various diseases. On the young shoots of many species the leaves In pairs are opposite to each other, as they appear on ordinary plants, while on the older branches the leaves are' arranged alternately ami grow In such a way that they present their edges to the sun. This seems to.be nature's provision to'protect them from the

intense heat of the tropical sun of those lands where they most flourish. The Eucalyptus globulus, generally called the blue gum, from its bluish-green leaves, is the variety most successfully grown in Californit. It has also been introduced and. flourishes in India, Natal, Egypt, Algeria, and in various parts of southern Europe and in some other warm countries, it cannot stand the frost, and so must be classed among tropical trees. Perhaps only in the state of Florida and California can we expect to see it in perfection in tljis country; yet although its introduction into California has been of but recent date, already its value to that state has been very considerable. Some of the species of eucalyptus are much more valuable than others. There is also a great diversity both in their appearance and worth. One of the most valuable is the Eucalyptus marginata, popularly called the Jarrah wood. It grows to a great size and its timber is so hard that it is found to be especially valuable in the construction of wharves, as it resists the attack of the ship worms and borers that are so destructive to ordinary wood. Because of this quality it also enters largely into the construction of ships and is ultilized in other marine uses. Some varieties of the eucalyptus yield a kind of astringent gum or resin called Vino, while from others a species of manna—a hard little, sweet substance—is obtained in considerable quantities. As an antidote against malaria and as being valuable In warding off or dissipating malaria in regions where malaria abounds, the eucalyptus has obtained a considerable reputation. Expert opinions seem to be divided as to the way in which Its beneficent results come about. Some think it is the result of the volatile oils which these trees give off through their leaves, acting as a neutralizing and even destructive power against the malarial matter in the atmosphere; otherte maintain that its beneficent are caused by- the fact of the trees being such rapid growers, and the great quantity of water they thus absorb and then give off purifies the atmosphere. Whatever may be the -cause, the fact is evident that their presence in goodly numbers, planted in malarial regions, has produced most beneficent results. 7 . The Roman Campagna especially has been ' greatly benefited, so much so that large portions once considered almost fatal to human

life, and shunned and feared, are now’ the abodes of numbers of people who find, since the introduction of the eucalyptus trees, but little traces of the dreaded malaria that for ages once caused those regions to be so shunned and deserted. In the low malarial regions around the Cape of Good Hope and in some similar unhealthful regions around Algiers and elsewhere, the same beniflcent results have follow’ed the introduction of the eucalyptus trees. As yet no variety has been discovered that is able to withstand even a moderate frost, but the fact that millions of these trees can be raised s<j easily and quickly in California and Florida and perhaps in the warm places on the Gulf of Mexico, and that its timber can be so widely utilized, is a matter for congratulation to all w’ho are Interested in the conservation of our forests and also in the introduction of new varieties of trees that will add to the timber wealth of the country. In general, eucalyptus may be successfully plantea in the sections of the United States suitable for the culture of citrus fruits. They are grown in nearly all the agricultural sections of California, along the coast of southern Oregon, and to a limited extent in Arizona. New Mexico and western Texas. Several species have also been planted in Florida and along the Gulf coast. Here, however, occasional frosts have killed or severely damaged the trees, and for this reason planting has been discouraged.

The blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) has a phenomenally rapid rate of growth. Seedlings stands will average a height growth of 50 feet in 6 years and 100 feet in 10 years. Under very favorable conditions individual trees have reached a height of 125 feet and a diameter of 36 inches in 9 years. In sprout stands growth is even more rapid; trees frequently reach 3 inches in diameter and 35 feet in height In 8 months, while in 3 years a diameter of 7 inches and a height of 70 feet are often attained. In California, under favorable conditions, trees have attained a height of 175 feet and a diameter of 5 feet In 25 years. Although sometimes irregular In form, the tree tends to develop a straight, gradually tapering, unforked stem. In plantations the trunks become rapidly cleared of branches to a considerable height, but In the open, trees branch more widely and gradually develop a short crown of massive, spreading branches. ,r»' Blue gum is practically Immune from disease. Where trees are reproduced by sprouts, the old stumps frequently decay slowly at the heart, while the sprouts remained unaffected. Growing trees are not attacked by insect enemies, but felled timber lying unbarked upon the ground is subject to injury by a wood-mi-ning insect. \ Blue gum rarely suffers any breakage of the limbs by winds, and the spreading root system renders the trees very wind-firm.

Fire is the greatest source of injury to eucalyptus plantations. Both the natural characteristics of the trees and the conditions within planted groves' render them peculiarly susceptible to fire injury. The large quantity of litter —dry leaves, branches and shredded bark—which accumulates beneath a stand is extremely inflammable. The bark of eucalyptus is so thin that the trees are injured even by light surface fires. / The wood of blue gum is very heavy, hard, strong and tough, but is not durable in contact w’ith the soil. It is close-grained, and is split with difficulty after it has dried. It is less elastic than hickory, but it has been demonstrated by mechanical tests that seasoned blue gum timber is a little inferior in strength and gtlfQness to the best second-growth hickory. In appearance it closely resembles the wood of hickory and ash. Blue-gum timber is Utilized for a great variety of purposes in California. The wood is excellent for fuel, and in the treeless valleys has been the chief fuel supply for many years. In southern California the steady demand renders commercial planting for fugl very profitable. Eucalyptus timber has been extensively used in California for wharf pilipg. Blue-gum piles are in use in nearly every port on the California coast, and extended trial has, shown that they resist the attacks of marine borers which destroy timber in sea water longer than other species commonly used for piling. Blue-gum timber has also been used to some extent for fence posts and telephone poles. The wood is not suitable for this purpose, however, on account of its short life in the ground. Seasoned posts last a little longer than green posts, and timber cut from the heart is more durable than, sapwood. Blue-gum timber has been used to a limited extent to determine its value for railroad ties. The results thus far obtained indicate that it compares favorably with second-grade pine-tie timber.

The lumber has been extensively used for vehicle stock and for wooden parts of agricultural implements. It is also made into insulator pins for electric wiring, and is used for furniture and cabinet work, hardwood flooring, trip-ham-mer beams, the levers of windlasses, and the blocking for oil and wine presses, wood paving, pulley blocks and belt wheels. The extensive utilization of gum lumber has hitherto been prevented by the scanty supply of timber of merchantable size and by the difficulty experienced in seasoning the lumber without warping and checking. It is believed, however, that in the seasoning of gum no greater difficulties will be encountered than in seasoning of any other hardwood of similar density and strength. A product of considerable importance derived from blue gum is the oil distilled from the leaves. Eucalyptus oil is recognized as a valuable drug and is extensively used by pharmacists and physicians. In many valleys of California eucalyptus windbreaks are qonsidered absolutely necessary to insure the successful production of crops. They have been mest extensively used to safeguard citrus orchards from strong and destructive winds in southern California, but they are now being established, also for the protection of vineyards and orchards of deciduous fruits, olives and walnuts. The blue gum excels other species for windbreak purposes on account of its height and the rapidity of its growth. ) The tall shafts of the trees bend before the wind and net as a cushion to deflect it upward over the Orchard, whereas ordinary wind-break trees form a more solid wall, and the wind draws downward, forming eddies near the leeward side.

Eucalyptus reproduce readily by both seeds and sprouts. The trees bear seed in abundance annually, and under favorable conditions natural reproduction is freely established. Trees also sprout vigorously from both the stump and the roots, either after cutting or In response to injury. In California commercial groves are almost Invariably reproduced by sprouts. Plantations should be started with young trees and not by direct sowing. The opinion is generally held that eucalyptus seedlings are so difficult to raise -,-that their propagation is impracticable except for expert nurserymen. In point of fact, blue gum is one of the easily propagated species.