Is it Possible to Grow World's Most Colorful Tree Rainbow Eucalyptus in the US? Here's What You Need to Know

The rainbow eucalyptus is still as captivating as ever, and gardeners and enthusiasts alike are interested in the world's most colorful tree and its potential for growth in the US.

The rainbow eucalyptus' intense color and astringent fragrance make the tree unforgettable, but it's not for everyone.

Some things should be taken into consideration before taking on such a big responsibility.

Rainbow Eucalyptus

The only eucalyptus tree native to the northern hemisphere is the rainbow eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta). It mainly grows in Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

This tree's bark could easily be mistaken for having been painted with vivid, rainbow brush strokes.

The neon green bark that lies beneath the tree's outer layer is revealed when it sheds. When exposed to air, the green bark changes color to various hues.

Mysterious Colorful Bark

Professor David Lee, a professor of botany at Florida International University, has studied how plants produce color.

Based on his brief research, he has developed a tentative theory to explain the change in color that occurs in the rainbow eucalyptus tree trunk.

According to Lee, the trunk sheds a series of slender, smooth barks.

A thin, transparent layer of cells covers each layer of bark, allowing one to see the chlorophyll that is stored in the cells underneath the layer. The green pigment known as chlorophyll is used in photosynthesis to store light energy.

The bark allows some light to pass through, allowing the chlorophyll to soak up light energy and perform photosynthesis.

The transparent cells on top of the topmost layer of the outermost bark layer on the rainbow eucalyptus trunk fill with tannins as it ages.

Depending on the type, tannins can be brown, yellow, or red in color.

The various hues present on the colorful trunk of the rainbow eucalyptus may be caused by a mixture of various concentrations and types of tannins as well as a decrease in the amount of underlying chlorophyll.

Climate Needs

Rainbow eucalyptus can be found in the US in Hawaii, as well as in the southernmost regions of California, Texas, and Florida, where there are no frosts.

It is appropriate for zones 10 and higher of the US Department of Agriculture's plant hardiness map.

The tree only reaches heights of between 100 and 125 feet in the contiguous US. It is still a huge tree even though it can only grow to a height of about half of what it can in its natural habitat.

Environment

In addition to climate, rainbow eucalyptus needs moist soil and full sun for optimal growth.

After it is established, the colorful tree grows up to three feet per season without additional fertilizer, but it still requires regular watering when there is not enough rainfall.

The bark of a rainbow eucalyptus tree is its most notable characteristic because it peels off in strips to reveal a vibrantly colored new bark underneath each season.

Vertical striations of red, blue, orange, green, and gray are produced by the peeling process.

The rainbow eucalyptus is still one of the most amazingly colorful trees, although its color isn't as intense outside of its native range.

We All Need Space

The colorful tree can probably be grown by gardeners who reside in a frost-free region with adequate rainfall, but the big question is really whether they ought to.

The rainbow eucalyptus is a massive tree that is too large for the majority of backyard landscapes.

It can damage property by raising small structures like sheds, tearing up sidewalks, and damaging foundations.

The tree thrives in open spaces, such as fields and parks, where it offers wonderful shade, as well as fragrance and aesthetic appeal, Gardening Know How reported.