While eucalyptus trees are a type of gum tree, not all gum trees are eucalyptus trees. While they are a beautiful and fragrant species of tree, the eucalyptus, also known as a blue gum tree, is an invasive species of tree and often has an adverse effect on its surrounding environment.
What is the Australian gum tree scientific name?
Eucalyptus , (genus Eucalyptus), large genus of more than 660 species of shrubs and tall trees of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), native to Australia, Tasmania, and nearby islands. In Australia the eucalypti are commonly known as gum trees or stringybark trees.
What is a gum tree in Australia?
Eucalypts —often called gum trees—are icons of the Australian flora. With more than 800 species they dominate the Australian landscape, forming forests, woodland and shrublands in all environments except the most arid deserts.
Are gum trees common in Australia?
Almost all gum trees are native to Australia , where they're the primary food of koalas. Over time, they've been cultivated in other tropical regions around the world, and some gum trees can even live in cooler locations such as Norway.
How many types of gum trees are there in Australia?
The term ‘eucalypt' includes approximately 900 species in the three genera Eucalyptus, Corymbia and Angophora. Almost all eucalypt species are native to Australia. Eucalypts evolved from rainforest ancestors, adapting to an environment in which drought, nutrient-poor soils and fire were increasingly common.
Are gum trees good for anything?
Sweet gum wood is commercially used for electronic cabinetry, furniture , doors, millwork and paneling. It is also used to make baskets, railroad ties, crates and pallets. Sweet gum wood is also used to make plywood, veneer and upholstered furniture frames.
Why are eucalyptus trees bad?
One of the biggest problems with eucalyptus trees is their negative impact on the environment. They have replaced native forests in different parts of the world, depleted sources of food and light, and thus damaged animals and birds. Natural eucalyptus oils make it extremely flammable .
What is another name for gum trees?
Gum tree is a common name for smooth-barked trees and shrubs in several genera: Eucalypteae, particularly: Eucalyptus , which includes the majority of species of gum trees.
Which plant gives us gum in India?
The important gum yielding trees are Acacia nilotica (babul) , A catechu (khair), Steruculia urens (kullu), Anogeissus latifolia (dhawra), Butea monosperma (palas), Bauhinia retusa (semal), Lannea coromandelica (lendia) and Azadirachta indica (neem).
What tree does gum come from?
Chewing gum has been with us since the Stone Age – chicle gum was made from the sap of the Sapodilla tree . Most modern gums are based on a synthetic equivalent, a rubbery material called polyisobutylene that's also used in the manufacture of inner tubes.
Do Koalas live in gum trees?
Koalas live in tall open eucalypt (gum tree) forests . The areas of bushland where they like to live are called their HABITATS. Koalas can only live in bushland where their favourite trees are growing, and they will only eat a few of the hundreds of species of eucalypts which grow in Australia.
How do you tell if it is a gum tree?
The main identifying feature of eucalyptus trees is their strongly-scented leaves . However, eucalyptus plants have attractive growth that can help to identify varieties of eucalyptus trees. The three main types of eucalyptus plants are mallee eucalyptus, marlock or moort eucalyptus and mallet types of eucalyptus.
How long does it take for a gum tree to grow?
How fast can they grow? Eucs, in general, are much faster growing than most other trees in cultivation. Most euc species can be expected to achieve 6 – 12 feet of new growth each year . Exceptions include some of the snow gums (E.
Is gum tree sap poisonous?
Two plants with toxic sap are Milky mangrove and Spurge. Both produce very unpleasant irritations if the sap comes into contact with human skin and are to be avoided, especially around the eyes, nose or mouth. ... Eucalyptus or Gum Trees contain oils which are toxic if ingested .
What are the big trees in Australia?
- 1 Angophora costata (Sydney Red Gum) ...
- 2 Corymbia ficifolia (Flowering Gum) ...
- 3 Corymbia citriodora (Lemon-scented Gum) ...
- 4 Grevillea robusta (Silky Oak) ...
- 5 Alloxylon flammeum (Tree Waratah) ...
- 6 Eucalyptus cinerea (Argyle Apple) ...
- 7 Wollemia nobilis (Wollemi Pine)
Who eats a koala?
Koala predators include: dingoes, owls, lizards, and people . Koalas sometime get run over by cars. They also die because people cut Eucalyptus trees.
