Blue Gum

Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus), one of the most valuable and best-known species of a large genus of myrtaceous trees, most of which are natives of Australia. It was discovered by Labillardiere in Tasmania, in 1792, but was not grown in Europe until 1861. In its native country it reaches 400 or 500 feet in height and more than 80 feet in circumference, and its growth is wonderfully rapid, trees eleven years old reaching 60 feet in height and 3-1/2 feet in girth. As fuel, it has yielded a net annual profit of over £4 per acre. Its wood when mature takes a good polish, is hard, durable and nearly equal to oak. Its leaves are glaucous and turn edgewise, so that it gives but little shade. When rubbed these leaves are aromatic, and by distillation an essential oil is obtained from them which is largely employed for diluting attar of roses, and for scenting soaps. By its rapid growth this tree is certainly useful in draining pestilential swamps, for which purpose it has been employed in Italy, and its perfume and an alcoholic extract of the leaves are believed to be remedies for intermittent fever. The Blue Gum cannot withstand the frosts of northern Europe.