"miamicuse" wrote in message
...
I am in love with the colorful bark of this tree. I saw a 15' specimen in
the Black Olive Nursery in Fort Lauderdale today. They told me it will grow
up to 40 feet tall but no idea if it is hurricane reistant in any way...
I did some search on the web and it says;
"Very large forest tree to 220ft. It is a fast grower, though it can be kept
to a much smaller sized if desired. Grows well in full sun or part shade.
Generally likes a lot of water and naturally grows in a rain-forest
environment. Hardy to 26-28F, but only for brief periods; will not stand
intense or prolonged frosts. Prefers a humid, cooler tropical climate."
220 ft? Wow that is not going to work or is that in the ideal condition in
it's native habitat? Can I plant it ten feet from a house in Miami, Florida
(10)?
Thanks,
MC

It's a native of New Guinea and not offered around here but I do have
experience of large eucalypts. Planting them near the house is madness.
Any may lose branches in a storm and a few (I have no idea if this is one)
will drop branches on calm days just cause they feel like it. Of course
they are a great fire hazard. It may take 50 years or more to reach 200ft
but as a fast grower it may reach 50ft in much less than that, even at this
size you will have these potential problems. Have you ever seen the mess a
good sized eucalyptus branch makes of a roof? I have.

David