Gums have been grown in New Zealand since the mid-1880s. There are about 160 species in New Zealand, but only a few have shown real promise as timber trees suitable for farm woodlots.
What do New Zealanders think of gum trees?
and most New Zealanders will think of “those Australian trees with the pungent leaves.” And they’ll be right, of course. Gum trees are as quintessentially Australian as “Waltzing Matilda” and koalas.
Are there any trees in New Zealand that can't be found anywhere else?
In addition to the animals, there are a lot of trees that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Here are some cool facts about New Zealand’s tallest native tree, the Kahikatea. These trees are endemic to the islands of New Zealand. They can be found on all three main islands (north, south, and Stewart Island).
Where do kiwi trees grow in New Zealand?
These trees are endemic to the islands of New Zealand. They can be found on all three main islands (north, south, and Stewart Island). These trees grow in the podocarp/broadleaf forests and are most common in lowland, swampy areas, growing up to 500 meters in elevation.
Why do blue gums grow in Canterbury and Auckland?
Captain Campbell Walker, appointed Conservator of State Forests in 1875, spent a year looking at all aspects of forestry around the country and recommended blue gums as the trees to grow for a speedy supply of timber in both Canterbury and Auckland, although he also favoured the planting of conifers and European timbers.
Are gum trees only in Australia?
There are more than 700 species of Eucalyptus and most are native to Australia; a very small number are found in adjacent areas of New Guinea and Indonesia. One species, Eucalyptus deglupta, ranges as far north as the Philippines. Of the 15 species found outside Australia, just nine are exclusively non-Australian.
Where does Eucalyptus grow in NZ?
Commercial plantations of Eucalypt and Acacia species have been sporadic, one the more successful has been the Eucalyptus nitens plantations in Southland and Otago, which are grown on a rotation of approximately 15 years, with the market being hardwood chip (for export).
Where are gum trees native to?
AustraliaThe term 'eucalypt' includes approximately 800 species in the three genera Angophora, Corymbia and Eucalyptus. 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.
What's the difference between Eucalyptus and Gumtree?
So, what's the difference between the two? Eucalyptus gum trees and non-eucalyptus gum trees can be distinguished apart based on their leaf shape, bark, growth cycle, native habitat, and height. The main difference between eucalyptus and gum trees is that eucalyptus is a genus while gum trees are species.
Is eucalyptus a native tree in New Zealand?
Most Eucalyptus species are endemic to Australia (and closely adjacent islands), although several species originate in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Many species have been introduced into New Zealand, with the first trees being established by the early settlers in the mid nineteenth century.
What is eucalyptus NZ?
Eucalyptus nitens has proven to be an extremely fast growing and cold-hardy forest species in cooler regions of New Zealand (Satchell, 2015). The species is also very tolerant of wind and can be planted on exposed hill country sites (Gea & Shelbourne, 2006).
Is blue gum tree same as eucalyptus?
The blue gum, also known as the common eucalyptus, is the most frequently planted eucalyptus in the world. The shabby-barked tree has blue-green leaves and the distinctive menthol scent common to many gum species.
What is gum tree wood used for?
Gum Trees (Eucalyptus) Are Made Into Wood Products Gum trees, like many others, have wood that is used in cabinetry, furniture, doors, paneling, plywood, palettes, and more.
Why does Australia have so many eucalyptus trees?
The ancient fossil link to Gondwana The roots of the eucalypt go back to when Australia was part of the supercontinent Gondwana. The oldest known examples of eucalypt fossils are 52 million-year-old flowers, fruits and leaves found in Patagonia.
How many types of gum trees are there?
12 different varietiesGum Trees are a species of tree that are indigenous to Australia and very common to find in many backyards all around Australian (And very common in Victoria and NSW. There are generally 12 different varieties and they are called 'Gum' trees due to the thick sap that oozes out of the trunk when they are cut or damaged.
What are sweet gum balls used for?
Are sweetgum tree balls edible? While they're not edible, the balls can double as spiky mulch to keep animals away from young plants. You can even get creative and use them to make holiday trinkets or decorative balls for bowls.
How long do gum trees live?
Eucalyptus saligna regenerates by regrowing from epicormic buds on the trunk and lower branches after bushfire. Trees live for over two hundred years.
How many species of eucalyptus are there in New Zealand?
Such is the range of species (estimated to number 800) that there is at least one to suit almost any situation.
Why are gum trees dying?
Climate change, drought, insects and soil microbes are all thought to contribute to dieback.
How old is the oldest eucalyptus tree?
The oldest known Eucalyptus macrofossil, from Patagonia in South America, is 52 million years old.
How high can eucalyptus grow?
Eucalyptus glaucescens can actually reach 40-50 meters in full maturity after many years, almost 160ft!
What is the name of the Australian gum tree?
And they’ll be right, of course. Gum trees are as quintessentially Australian as “Waltzing Matilda” and koalas.
What are the pests that live in the gum tree?
Some of the more serious pests include the blackbutt leaf miner, blue gum psyllid, eucalypt leaf roller, leaf blister sawfly, gum tree scale, tortoise beetle, gall wasp, and—largest and most impressive—the emperor gum moth, whose colourful caterpillars can defoliate small trees.
How many species of eucalypts are there?
Among the estimated 800 species of eucalypt are scores that produce valuable timber, and worldwide eucalypts are the most widely planted hardwoods. Brian Chudleigh. There is a craze all over the state about the eucalyptus or Australian blue gum tree . . . Eucalyptus will frighten away fevers and murder malaria.
What is the most widely planted hardwood tree?
Among the estimated 800 species of eucalypt are scores that produce valuable timber, and worldwide eucalypts are the most widely planted hardwoods.
How much did eucalypt hardwood cost in 1875?
marginata ), was making itself felt on the government purse. The total cost of timber imports in 1875 was £179,420. From Tasmania alone came 4,375,482 superficial feet (1,333,988 m) of sawn timber, 13,230,270 shingles, 1,995,391 palings and 1107 tons (1125 t) of bark, from which tannins were extracted for leather tanning. Eucalyptus timber was being used for railway works, bridges and culverts, telegraph poles and buildings, including part of the internal structure of Parliament Buildings in Wellington.
Why are eucalyptus so popular?
Such harangues aside, why have eucalypts proved so popular? Chiefly because they can establish and grow rapidly, even in poor soils and arid climates. And not just in the dry. Such is the range of species (estimated to number 800) that there is at least one to suit almost any situation. Some thrive in the desolate outback (coolibah, black box), others in the wet tropics (flooded gum), in swamps (swamp gum) or on exposed mountain summits (snow gum).
Where did swamp gum seeds come from?
Some of our foresters wanted to order seed of the E. regnans that grew in Tasmania, where it was called swamp gum, so they ordered swamp gum seeds. Unfortunately, in those days most of the seed came from Woy Woy , in New South Wales, and there swamp gum is E. ovata. It was duly collected from the worst site possible, delivered to New Zealand and planted on all the state plantations, including in the hills behind Whakarewarewa and at Puhipuhi. Of course, it was a dismal failure. After that we started using Latin species names.”
What is the tallest tree in New Zealand?
A side note for you fact lovers – the tallest tree in New Zealand is an Australian mountain ash that grows in the Orokonui sanctuary on the south island. Planted in the 1870s, it’s 81 meters tall and still growing! The trunk is often buttressed.
Where are Kahikatea trees found?
These trees are endemic to the islands of New Zealand. They can be found on all three main islands (north, south, and Stewart Island). These trees grow in the podocarp/broadleaf forests and are most common in lowland, swampy areas, growing up to 500 meters in elevation.
What is kahikatea tree?
Kahikateas are a type of podocarp, one of 17 species of podocarps in New Zealand. As a friendly reminder, podocarps are a type of conifer tree that has both cones and fruit. These are evergreen trees that grow throughout NZ.
How tall is the Kauri tree?
Here’s a cool fact for those of you that are into superlatives – this is the tallest native tree in New Zealand! These trees can grow up to 80 meters high! That is about the same height as a 40 story building! The Kauri tree has more mass and is wider, but this tree is taller.
How long have podocarp trees been around?
All right, here is another cool fact for you. These are the oldest members of the podocarp family of trees, having been around for 160 million years. In fact, these trees (not the ones currently alive) were around during the time of the dinosaurs! The scale like leaves of Kahikatea.
What does the bark of a tree look like?
The bark of young trees is a smooth gray. Then as the tree matures and gets old the bark begins to flake off and fall off.
Is Kahikatea a native tree?
The Kahikatea is one of the endemic trees of New Zealand. Read 8 facts about this ancient tree, which is New Zealand’s tallest native tree. I love the natural world of New Zealand. The fact that there are no dangerous mammals or reptiles mean that you can feel at ease at you go tromping around the forest or in tall grass.
How tall is a blue gum tree?
Not Available. When growing in favourable conditions, the Blue Gum is a tall, straight tree which grows on average to 30 to 55 metres in height and 2 metres in trunk diameter. Its timber is widely used in construction such as flooring, cladding, fencing and of course landscaping.
What is blue gum?
The blue gum is also perfect for shelterbelt planting and firewood. Blue gum flowers are considered a good source of nectar and pollen for bees. The flowers are Cream-coloured.