Prospects for Eucalypts as Forest Trees in Great Britain

Abstract

Eucalypts are currently the most widely planted genus in the tropics and sub-tropics. In Britain, they have remained of ornamental interest only because of a reputation for poor cold tolerance. Examination of trial plots and single trees indicates that some species can survive British winters without serious damage, notably E. archeri , E. niphophila and higher altitude seed origins of E. coccifera , E. debeuzevillei , E. glaucescens and E. gunnii . All non-shrub species show fast growth. The evidence of adequate cold tolerance and fast growth suggests that some eucalypts could have a place in British forestry. A small research programme is being undertaken, mainly with E. gunnii , to evaluate eucalypts on a range of sites and to identify cold tolerant seed origins. In the future production of hybrids combining cold tolerance, fast growth, and good timber quality followed by their large-scale propagation vegetatively is feasible.