We love trees. It’s why we plant 10 trees for each item purchased in our store! And this is a unique one. Yes indeed a Rainbow Eucalyptus is a real tree (aka the Rainbow tree), and really cool also. Eucalyptus deglupta is the only Eucalyptus tree that can be found growing naturally in the northern hemisphere. Be very cautious other than to simply enjoy this beautiful marvel of nature. This species is often considered as invasive in many parts of the USA. Enjoy the tree virtually, within a botanic garden, conservatory or other such controlled environment if you are in doubt.
Here are the top ten reasons why this plant so cool:
Mystery bark
Rainbows do not have a thick corkybark as do many other trees, but rather a smooth, paper-like bark that is very much alive. What’s truly cool is that this bark exfoliates or peels off randomly, revealing brilliant shades of green, yellow, pink-orange and eventually maroon to brown giving this tree its common name.
Natural artwork
The peeling bark strips off at different times and continues to do so for the life of the tree. This curious phenomena never leaves the same pattern twice, so your “Rainbow” is a living work of ever changing art.
Smells good
The typical aroma of Eucalyptus trees (like Vick’s Vapo rub) is absent in this species, so your garden won’t have a medicinal smell.
Easy to manage
Rainbows are remarkably easy to grow in the appropriate climate, however slower in cooler climates naturally. Ample water is a prerequisite for these trees particular in early life. Planting near a pond or water feature makes the most sense.
Fast growing
Rainbows are used for pulp as they grow so quickly and their fibre is consider a sustainable source. Rainbows are the major source of pulpwood in their homeland of the Philippines
Always full of life
Rainbows do not lose their foliage, even in their furthest range north which is southern Florida.
Carbon reduction
Trees that exfoliate or discard their bark like the Rainbows, actually are used as street plantings in areas of heavy pollution. The bark that is sloughed off is actually discarding accumulated air pollution that is captured there.
Benefits beyond beauty
Although considered an invasive species in many parts of the world, a Rainbow Eucalyptus still has many beneficial elements least of all its incredible beauty.
Recycled wood keeps its colour
Furniture and wood craftings made from a Rainbow still have some variation in various shades of green and brown.
Can help prevent malaria
Due to the Rainbow’s thirsty nature it has been used to soak up swampy areas in global equatorial zones to help prevent malaria which is spread by mosquitoes that breed in such conditions.
