Eucalyptus nitens

Eucalyptus nitens is a species native to mountainous areas of Australia, which forms very large, fast-growing trees. Used as a source of timber, it is also a very ornamental tree, notably because of its beautiful bark. This is generally light in colour and can vary in different shades, and it peels off in large strips that sometimes persist for a long time on the tree before finally falling to the ground. The evergreen adult foliage is a beautiful shiny green, and it is particularly aromatic. A flowering of small white pompoms mixes with the foliage in the autumn. Showing good hardiness, this Eucalyptus can be planted in many regions, provided there is a large space available.

Eucalyptus are members of the large Myrtaceae family, which has about 3000 species often from the tropical or warm temperate zones of the globe. Eucalyptus nitens, like the vast majority of species of this genus, is native to Australia. It grows in a wide area that extends from the state of Victoria, in the south, to the north of New South Wales, on the eastern flank of the island continent. It is mainly found in mountain ranges, in fertile and moist soils, in climates which are mild to hot in summer and cool to cold in winter. Living at altitudes ranging from 800 to 1400 m (2624 ft 8 in to 4593 ft 2 in), it resists frost and snow, and also withstands wind well. In these regions, marked by high rainfall, it shows rapid growth and produces very large trees, which can reach 70 m (229 ft 8 in) in height. This forest species has economic importance, it is also planted in Tasmania to provide timber.
Unlike many other species of Eucalyptus, E. nitens does not develop a lignotuber, this underground formation that allows the plant to restart from the stump when the aerial part has been destroyed by a fire. However, it has epicormic buds (sprouts grown on the periphery of the trunk by the growth of the cambium), which also provide a certain ability to self-repair the aerial part. In case of a parasitic attack, the crown can thus regrow a damaged part of the canopy.
Eucalyptus nitens often develops a very straight trunk that rises high into the sky before dividing into branches that constitute the framework of the crown, rounded at the top. In the forest, due to the competition of other surrounding trees, the base of the tree is often bare, but when planted in isolation, it takes on a superb conical shape, quite wide, with a regular geometric shape of the most beautiful effect. Its bark has a remarkable appearance and is one of its main assets. It can be pale cream, pale grey to grey-green, with white or light brown shades. Its surface is smooth and it peels off in long ribbons that can sometimes persist for a long time on the trunk and even in the crown, giving it a particularly original appearance.
In a classic trait of Eucalyptus, two types of foliage are distinguished. The juvenile one consists of blue-green ovate to lanceolate leaves, measuring from 6.5 to 11 cm (2.6 to 4.3 in) long and 2.8 to 5.5 cm (1.1 to 2.2 in) wide. They are inserted opposite each other on the slightly winged, square stems. The adult foliage, on the other hand, is shiny green, with large lanceolate to crescent leaves, measuring from 10 cm (3.9 in) long by 1.5 cm (0.6 in) wide, up to 30 cm (11.8 in) by 4. This foliage is very fragrant, similar to that of E. globulus, a less hardy species that E. nitens can advantageously replace in cold areas. The shine of the leaves and bark gave this tree its species name, "nitens" meaning "shiny, sparkling" in Latin.
The flowering is quite typical of the genus, grouped in umbels of 7 small flowers evoking white pompoms. Without petals, these flowers are decorative by the bouquets of stamens that escape from the flower bud. Blooming from January to March in Australia, they appear in autumn in our climates. Fruits in the form of capsules succeed them, presenting no ornamental interest.
Eucalyptus nitens grows in neutral to acidic soils, tolerating a little limestone, as well as clay soils. It likes moist, soils, but can tolerate a little dryness in deep soils. Its mountain origin allows it to resist cold down to around -12°C/-15°C (5 °F), which allows it to be acclimatised in many regions. It should be planted in a humid climate, it is not a tree for scorching climates.

Eucalyptus nitens is perfect for a change of scenery by welcoming an imposing tree of exotic appearance and yet relatively hardy. However, you need to have enough space, because it can rise to 30 or 40 m (98 ft 5 in or 131 ft 2 in), with a span of 15 to 20 m (49 ft 2 in to 65 ft 7 in). In a large garden, you can enhance this exotic aspect by planting next to it a clump of giant bamboo like Phyllostachys vivax MacClure, whose emerald green canes can rise up to 15 m (49 ft 2 in) high. To play with contrasts of shapes, plant Tetrapanax papyrifera Rex with its gigantic leaves, which can exceed 1 m (3 ft 4 in) in diameter and are particularly architectural with their very marked cuts.