Eucalyptus tereticornis

Eucalyptus tereticornis : 

Eucalyptus tereticornis N.KANAGARAJ BSF-06-007 BSC[FORESTRY]

Eucalyptus tereticornis : 

Eucalyptus tereticornis Common Name : Nilagiri Hindi: Safeda Tamil:Thailam Family : Myrtaceae   It has a great many common names, of which Forest Red Gum is perhaps the most widely known. Other common names include Bastard Box, Blue Gum, Flooded Gum, Grey Gum, Mountain Gum, Queensland Blue Gum, Red Gum, Red Ironbark, Red Iron gum and Slaty Gum

Distribution : 

Distribution In Australia ,it is found in Victoria ,new south Wales and queen land and in the island of new guinea. It has been extensively planted all over the world in Pakistan like Columbia. In India it is the second most widely planted species after teak. Except north eastern states, it has been planted both in the forests and outside in the agri lands.

Habitat : 

Habitat This species has a wide distribution, occurring over the widest range of latitudes of any Eucalyptus species. From southern Papua New Guinea at latitude 15°S, to south-eastern Victoria at latitude 38°C. It grows to a height of from 20 to 50 metres, and a girth of up to 2 metres dbh. The trunk is straight, and is usually unbranched for more than half of the total height of the tree. Thereafter, limbs are unusually steeply inclined for a Eucalyptus species.

Contd…… : 

Contd…… The bark is shed in irregular sheets, resulting in a smooth trunk surface coloured in patches of white, grey and blue, corresponding to areas that shed their bark at different times. It has narrow, lanceolate green leaves, from 10 to 20 centimetres long, and one to nearly three centimetres wide. Flowers occur in inflorescences of seven to 11 flowers Geology and soil: It is found growing in a wide variety of soils, including sandy loams, gravels and alluvial soils. generally avoid a acids acid soil.

Phenology : 

Phenology Flowering : April. Fruiting : Trees of five years old onwards seed profusely twice in a year; once in October and next in May. Seed Collection and Storage : Summer collection yields cleaner seeds with less chaff. Seeds are collected from trees of superior phenotypes on from selected seed plots/orchards. Air dried stored in air-tight container retains viability to a fair extent for 1-2 years.

Nursery Technique : 

Nursery Technique Seeds are sown in January in raised primary beds covered with hay. Germination comes in a week. Beds are to be kept moist but no excessive watering is given. When they attain 10 cms height, they are pricked out to the polybags No. of seeds per Kg – 100000 Purity percentage – 8 Moisture Percentage – 6.5 Germination Percentage – 90

Plantation Techniques : 

Plantation Techniques No. of seedlings per Kg. of seed - 60,000 to 80,000 Time for germination in days – 3 to 7 days Coppicing : The species produces vigorous shoot 10-15 days after cutting. In northern India, hot and dry months are avoided to facilitate good coppice crop. The stump cutting is cut 15-20cm above the ground level in slanting manner. Spacing :Espacement ranging from 1.8m X 1.8m to 3m X 3m

Cultural Operation : 

Cultural Operation Tending operation : Weeding: the seedlings are sensitive to weeds and require therefore regular weeding and soil working depends upon the site and intensity of weeds. Thinning : generally E.terticornis plantations are rarely thinnened and the initial espacement is mainted .

Uses : 

Uses Pulp wood : Eucalyptus is an excellent source of fibre for paper-making of different varieties Such as writing, printing , typing ,packing as well as newsprint. Both chemical and semi chemical methods of pulping can be used . Fuel wood and charcoal : Eucalyptus makes a good fuel wood . having calorific value of 4700-4800 kcal per kg . also provide good charcoal about 9.3 cum of wood yields one tonne of charcoal. Oxalic acid : Bark can give 40-50 % of oxalic acid by oxidation process. The leaves contain cineole and can be used for manufacture of this essential oil.

Pest and diseases : 

Pest and diseases Gummosis is a diseased condition of plants resulting in splitting of bark. In extreme case it occurs all around the stem, girdling may be caused and plant may be die. Gummosis wound reaction caused fire,forst,wind etc... Nutrient deficiency also cause chlorosis extensively in soil having high pH (over 8) and caco3 (over 7%) due to imbalance absorption of various nutrients.