Exclusive Eucalyptus Tree Growing Trials

Four principal areas of the southeast were chosen for trials gardens. None of the areas offered any additional protection from weather or pests and none offered any advanced irrigation systems. In essence the Eucalyptus trees were planted (throughout the growing season), watered in, and left alone.

A suburban home, 23 miles south of Atlanta in McDonough, GA (U.S.D.A Plant Hardiness zone 8A, average cold temp. 10 to 15 F). A total of 75 trees were planted. 2014’s coldest temp.: 6 degrees.

 

A 22 acre open field in Cumming, GA (U.S.D.A Plant Hardiness zone 7B, average cold temp. 5 to 10 F). A total of 75 trees were planted. 2014’s coldest temp.: 5 degrees.

 

A campground in Suches, GA (U.S.D.A Plant Hardiness zone 7A, average cold temp. 0 - 5 F). At 3,000’ elevation it is one of North Georgia’s highest elevation communities. A total of 125 trees were planted. 2014’s coldest temp.: 0 degrees.

 

A rural home in Waynesville, NC (U.S.D.A Plant Hardiness zone 6B, average cold temp. -5 - 0 F). 30 miles S.W. of Asheville it is tucked in a cold valley among 6000’ mountain peaks. A total of 25 trees were planted. 2014’s coldest temp.: -10 degrees. 
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At-Large Trials throughout GA (U.S.D.A Plant Hardiness zone 8A to 6b). Over 100 trees were given to homeowners, churches, golf courses, and heck, anyone who would drop them in a hole with no special care and report their findings.

What we learned form close to 400 individual plantings, with no additional care, soil amendments or fertilizers, minimal water, and little to no protection from the elements, is that some twenty Eucalyptus trees are cold hardy and thrive in much of the South (USDA Hardiness zones 6B and above).

Top performing cold hardy species for performance, growth rate, and physical attributes:

*Eucalyptus neglecta         

Eucalyptus nova - anglica                                                  

* Eucalyptus elliptica                  

Eucalyptus parvula                                                      

* Eucalyptus stellulata               

Eucalyptus perriniana                                                 

* Eucalyptus nicholii               

* Eucalyptus pauciflora                                     

* Eucalyptus rubida                     

* Eucalyptus pauciflora ssp. debeuzveillei

* Eucalyptus camphora

* Completed three year trial

Poorest performing for (lack of) cold hardiness were:

Eucalyptus cinera

Eucalyptus cypellocarpa

Eucalyptus urnigera

Eucalyptus glaucescens

Eucalyptus coccifera

Eucalyptus kybeanensis

Eucalyptus rubusta

 

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