Eucalyptus citriodora Hook.

Description :

A large, evergreen tree, up to 40 m tall with diameters of 1 to 2 m. The crown is thin and irregular. The leaves are simple, narrow and lance shaped, 10 to 20 cm long and 1 to 2.5 cm wide. The leaves unique lemon smell when crushed. The bark is smooth, and the stem is straight. The bark is whitish, to grey bluish with a dimpled appearance. The flowers, which occur in groups of threes and fives, usually bloom between February and March. The fruit is capsule containing many small seeds and is shaped like a half globe. The capsules mature between September and October. It is reproduced both from seed and by vegetative means. Seed sealed in air-tight containers will remain viable for several years in cold storage. Young tree may be attacked by termites, but with age they become pest free. It grows very fast. Height growth rates of 0.3 m/month for young stands have been reported. MAI of 10 to 15 m³/ha/yr on an 8-year rotation has also been recorded. Sapwood is light grey; heartwood is light brown. Grains are twisted and interlocked, medium coarse, uneven texture, having high strength with specific gravity of 0.78 and a calorific value of 4800 kcal/kg.

Distribution :

The tree is native to Australia. It is widely planted in arid areas throughout the world. In Pakistan it is successfully planted throughout the plains and in the hills. A very intolerant tree that grows on a variety of soils, including poor gravely soils as long as they are well drained. It is adapted to a precipitation zone of 600 to 900 mm/yr or more but can tolerate a dry season of 5 to 6 months. It prefers a semiarid, warm hot, sub-tropical winter/monsoon, climate with a temperature range of 5 to 40°C at elevations up to 2000 m. It can withstand a light frost, it coppices easily, and can be grown in mixed stands

Uses :

This is a good tree for reforestation project because of its fast growth and wood value. Farmers like it because of its fast growth. This is an excellent farm forestry tree. Also used as fuel wood, charcoal, furniture, perfume (leaves), shelterbelt, apiculture, pulp, fiber board, and tool handles.