The mighty eucalyptus tree is not indigenous to Southern California, but it has naturalized itself due to the wonderful weather we have here which is very similar to the weather in its native Australia.
I never knew about these trees until I moved to San Diego, but I'm always fascinated by them whenever I see them because of their majesty in reaching to the sky and the wide and varying colors and texture of the bark.
Unfortunately, this tree has many characteristics that can cause havoc to residential properties. It is a relatively fast-growing tree, which is one reason why many people like it, but it also has brittle branches that are subject to breakage in windy conditions, and large and invasive root systems that can damage a foundation, sidewalk, or driveway just as rapidly as the tree grows. Another problem in both its native Australia and here in Southern California is that the eucalyptus is full of an oily sap that is highly flammable, making it virtually a torch tree in the wind-drive wildland fires that occur both in Australia and here.
If you have this tree on your property, make sure that you keep an eye on the branches and the roots. Keep it trimmed well away from your house, and if it looks like it could fall on your house and damage it, it might be time to top it or remove it altogether.
Following are some of my favorite pictures that I've taken recently to show you the majesty and beauty of these trees. If the slide show here doesn't work on your computer, click here to watch it at slide.com.
Eucalpytus trees also grow on my pacific northwest coast island. We have madrona trees here (we call them arbutus), and eucalyptus seem to enjoy our "cool Mediterranean" microclimate. I think we are at the most northern latitude where they would successfully grow. We also can grow olives, here, plus there are vineyards, and lately everyone has been planting banana trees in their gardens!
We have silver dollar eucalyptus out here and they indeed can wreak havoc - from roots in the septic or sewer lines to foundation cracking to branches falling on mobilehomes literally hacking the trailer in two.
Really cool looking trees in your photos... were they all different eucalyptus trees? I envy your climate only for the citrus trees... how I wish I could have a lemon tree. But I do love my winter.
Hey, Katiejo - Hope you watched the slide show because there was more than just one photo.
Hey, Maria - I think the bark is what attracts many people to the eucalyptus. It's a main reason why I like it, too.
Hey, Li - Yes, the eucalyptus grows pretty easily there in the cool Mediterranean microclimate. You're right at the borderline for too much water and too cold.
Hey, Candice - The silver dollar eucalyptus is gorgeous when it gets large and those silver dollar leaves start flapping in the wind.
Hey, Tammy - Yes, no two pictures in the slide show are of the same tree.
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The mighty eucalyptus tree is not indigenous to Southern California, but it has naturalized itself due to the wonderful weather we have here which is very similar to the weather in its native Australia.
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Thank you so much for sharing this photo on a Sunday morning. Please do enjoy your Sunday with family and friends.