Linda Crampton is a writer and teacher with an honors degree in biology. She loves to study nature and write about living things.

An Unusual and Attractive Tree

The rainbow eucalyptus is an unusual tree with a beautiful trunk. The trunk periodically sheds a strip of bark, revealing a green layer underneath. This layer then changes colour. The shedding and colour change happen at different times in different parts of the trunk. In addition, a variety of new colours are produced. The overall effect is lovely and gives the tree its "rainbow" name.

We're used to beautiful colours in the flowers and fruits of trees and in their autumn leaves, but a coloured trunk is an oddity. The rainbow eucalyptus is greatly admired and is often planted deliberately, either for its appearance or for its other benefits. The colours and vibrancy of different trunks vary, but the plant is always interesting to see.

The distribution of Eucalyptus; the rainbow eucalyptus is the only species in the genus whose range extends into the northern hemisphere Sarefo, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 License

Eucalyptus Plants

All eucalyptus trees and shrubs belong to the genus Eucalyptus, which is in the myrtle family, or the Myrtaceae. The plants are native to Australia, Tasmania, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Most grow in Australia, which contains hundreds of species belonging to the genus. The trees are very popular and grow as introduced or cultivated plants in many parts of the world.

The rainbow eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta) is native to the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. It's also known as the Indonesian gum tree and the Mindanao gum after the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Gum trees are a group of eucalyptus species with a smooth bark that is periodically shed.

The main component of a koala's diet is eucalyptus leaves. Rumour says that koalas sleep so much due to the influence of the leaves' oil in their diet. In reality, the digestion of the leaves requires a lot of energy and provides limited nutrition. By sleeping up to twenty hours a day, koalas reduce their energy expenditure.

Rainbow eucalyptus trees differ in the amount and types of colour that they display, but they are all beautiful. LakuszBel and amelia, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 License

The Bark of the Rainbow Eucalyptus

The multicoloured trunk of the rainbow eucalyptus is a unique and highly appreciated feature. Green, orange, yellow, rusty red, maroon, brown, purple, and blue areas may all be visible on the trunk. On some trees, the colours are so vibrant and rich that they look artificial. On others, they have a pastel hue. People who would like to grow the tree should be aware that the colours are often much less intense when the tree is growing outside its native habitat.

The appearance of the trunk change as patches or strips of bark in different spots are shed and the underlying area changes from green to another colour. This process means that no two rainbow eucalyptus trees look the same. The tree is often referred to as a "living work of art".

Other Features of the Tree

Like many other eucalyptus trees, Eucalyptus deglupta grows quickly and may become very tall. The mature tree may reach a height of 100 to a 150 feet in its native habitat—or even taller—but only 60 to 80 feet in other areas. The mature trunk is 6 to 8 feet in diameter. The spread of the tree is 60 to 125 feet.

The tree produces white flowers and has moderately wide, evergreen leaves. The leaves contain glands that produce an aromatic oil. They release a pleasant scent when crushed. They make much less oil than the leaves of some other species of eucalyptus, however, and aren't used for the commercial production of the oil. In the Philippines, the tree is harvested for pulp wood to make paper.

Flowers

The flowers of rainbow eucalyptus and its relatives are unusual. They have no petals or sepals. They do have stamens and a pistil, however. The stamens are the male reproductive organs and the pistil is the female organ.

The flower buds take the form of a capsule containing the stamens and pistil. The capsule has a conical lid called an operculum. As a bud matures, the operculum becomes dark and wrinkled. When the bud is ready to open, the stamens expand, pushing the operculum off the top of the capsule. The stamens and the pistil then emerge from the bud. The numerous stamens look like tassels and surround the single, green pistil.

After pollination and fertilization have taken place, the capsule becomes a woody fruit, which contains the seeds. The fruits are often known as gum nuts (or gumnuts). Pollination is usually carried out by bees.

The name "eucalyptus" comes from two Greek words—"eu", which means well, and "calyptos", which means covered. The name refers to the fact that the operculum covers the stamens and pistil.

Leaves and Oil

Eucalyptus leaves are leathery and hang from the branches. They are often long, narrow, and spear-shaped, although some species (including the rainbow eucalyptus) have wider and more rounded leaves. Some species in the genus produce copious amounts of oil, which is volatile as well as aromatic. When a large number of trees grow near each other, the evaporated oil sometimes forms a mist in the air.

Eucalyptus oil may have some health benefits, including opening up the airways in people with breathing problems. More research needs to be performed in relation to its possible benefits, however. In addition to being used as a medicine, the oil is used as an insecticide and a fragrance component.

The oil must be sufficiently diluted before use. The concentrated form is dangerous if it's taken internally or if it comes into contact with the skin. The active ingredient in the oil is known as eucalyptol or cineol. Eucalyptol is a useful but potentially toxic chemical.

Why Does the Rainbow Eucalyptus Have a Colourful Trunk?

The beautiful and often awesome colours produced by the trunk of the rainbow eucalyptus attract a lot of attention. Very little work has been done to discover why the different colours are produced, however.

Professor David Lee is a botany professor at Florida International University who has explored the production of colour in plants. Based on a brief investigation, he has come up with a tentative theory to explain the colour change in the rainbow eucalyptus tree trunk.

According to Professor Lee, the trunk produces a succession of thin, smooth barks. Each layer of bark is covered by a thin, transparent layer of cells which allows us to see the chlorophyll stored in the cells underneath. Chlorophyll is the green pigment that traps the light energy used in photosynthesis.

As the surface of the trunk ages, the transparent cells on the top of the outermost bark layer become filled with pigments called tannins. Tannins may be yellow, brown, or red in colour, depending on the type. The combination of different amounts and kinds of tannins and a reduction in the amount of the underlying chlorophyll may be responsible for the varying colours seen on the trunk of the rainbow eucalyptus.

It has been suggested that the shedding of the tree's bark reduces the growth of plants and parasites on its trunk. A lovely side effect of this process is the changing colour of the trunk.

Cultivated and Introduced Trees

Rainbow eucalyptus trees can be an impressive landscaping element. The potential height and spread of a mature tree needs to be kept in mind if someone wants to grow one, however. The trees grow best in full sunlight and moist soil. They require a lot of water as well as warmth. If they're used as an ornamental tree, they should be planted in an area where their trunks will remain visible and where there is plenty of room for them to spread up and out as they grow.

The trees do best in a tropical or subtropical climate. Cultivated plant experts say that they should be planted in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 or in Zones 10 to 11, depending on the source. The trees may survive one night of light frost, but they are frost-intolerant plants. Repeated or heavy frost will kill them.

Rainbow eucalyptus is sold as a young tree in a pot or as seeds. The seeds are tiny and may be difficult to handle. In some places, the plant can be seen in botanical gardens. This enables people to admire the species without growing their own specimen.

The trees grow well in Hawaii and are a tourist attraction in some locations in the state, including along the Hana Highway on the eastern side of Maui. The highway is famous for having over 600 curves and over 50 bridges, many of them with only one lane. I've never travelled along the highway, but it's said to have other attractions besides the rainbow eucalyptus trees, including waterfalls. Tours are available for people to look at the trees. The plants are apparently hard to find amongst all the other trees, so a guided tour may be useful.

The rainbow eucalyptus may grow as much as three feet in a year. It's said to live from 50 to 150 years and to be deer resistant. It's important to note that very hungry deer may eat plants that are classified as "resistant", however.

Potential Drawbacks to Growing the Trees

There are some drawbacks to growing the trees. They can be messy because they frequently shed strips from their bark. They can also reach a large size and take up a lot of space. Their widespread roots may damage buildings and roads.

Another problem is that it's impossible to predict how colourful a particular tree will become as it matures. The colours that the trunk develops may be disappointing. Someone who wants to grow a tree should look at the colours that tend to develop in their part of the world, either in real-life specimens or in photos. This doesn't guarantee that their particular tree will develop similar hues, though.

For some lovers of rainbow eucalyptus, the disadvantages of growing their own tree are not a problem. For them, the novelty and potential beauty of the tree makes having one on their property very worthwhile.

References

Information about Eucalyptus deglupta from the Missouri Botanical Garden

Rainbow eucalyptus facts from the California Polytechnic State University

Eucalyptus oil information from WebMD

Bark colour in the rainbow eucalyptus from sciencefriday.com (a radio show and website)

Questions & Answers

Question: Are the rings of a cross section colorful as well?

Answer: Unfortunately, no. The bark of the tree can have beautiful colours, but the inner wood is much like that of other trees and is white in colour. A multicoloured cross section would be an interesting and lovely sight!

Question: At what age do the Rainbow Eucalyptus' bark colors become obvious?

Answer: People who grow rainbow eucalyptus in North America say that the trees don’t develop a coloured bark until they are about three years old and the trunk is about two to three inches thick. The time when the colours appear may vary based on the climate and the growing conditions, however.

Question: Can rainbow eucalyptus grow in zones 8b and 9a?

Answer: According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, the answer is no. The garden's web page says that the rainbow eucalyptus grows in zones 10 and 11.

Question: I have two rainbow eucalyptus trees, about 4' in height. I live in South Florida and the trees are located in full sunlight close to an acre-sized pond. My question is my trees arrived green with green leaves but now the bark and the leaves are a red color. I have friends in my area that ordered the same trees but their trees still have green leaves. Both my trees are healthy. Are red leaves typical of the Rainbow Eucalyptus?

Answer: Red leaves often indicate that a tree is under some stress. If only a few leaves are red, there's probably not a major problem. If many are red while the leaves of your friend's trees are still green, you should probably consult an arborist (a tree specialist) in your area to discover the cause. Since both the bark and the leaves of your trees are red, an expert's opinion would be valuable.

Question: I live in a USDA zone 9. We get a couple of snowy and frosty days a year. Would a rainbow eucalyptus likely survive this environment? Is there anything I could do to protect it?

Answer: The tree requires a zone 10 or 11 environment, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Their website has a "Contact Us" page in the About menu. They offer to help people who have a gardening question. They may be able to tell you how well the tree will do in your area. A local botany expert at a college or university or a plant organization of some kind may be able to help you, too.

Question: Is rainbow eucalyptus invasive and can it be planted near a pond?

Answer: I can’t say whether the tree is invasive in your area because I don’t know where you live. You would have to contact your local authorities to find out. I have read that it’s considered to be invasive in some parts of the United States. The tree does need a lot of water, but you should probably contact an expert at a garden centre to see if placing it near a pond is the best location for the pond as well as the tree.

Question: How big is the root system of the rainbow eucalyptus?

Answer: The rainbow eucalyptus has a spread of up to 125 feet, so it should be planted at least 60 feet away from a building to allow for this spread. Some sources recommend that it be planted at least 40 feet away from a building. 40 feet may be okay, but it’s a little risky. The problem is that there’s no way to know for certain how big a particular tree will grow. If there’s room in a garden, it’s better to allow some extra space in case the tree becomes large, and its roots spread a long distance from the trunk.

Question: How old should a tree be to begin shedding?

Answer: I’ve read two reports related to your question from people who have rainbow eucalyptus trees. Both people live in Florida. One said that “several years” of growth are required before a color change is noted and that patience is required. Another said that after two years of growth they are seeing a very slight color change in the bark of their tree.

Question: Is rainbow eucalyptus rare?

Answer: No, it isn't rare, though it's most common in environments that are suitable for its growth. The tree is often planted in the hope that it will develop an attractive trunk. It's also cultivated for the production of paper from its wood.

Question: Does the rainbow eucalyptus make fruits?

Answer: Yes, as I mention in the article, rainbow eucalyptus produces fruits known as gum nuts or gumnuts. They are brown and woody when ripe and bear a variable number of seeds.

Question: Does the tree grow in zones 9 to 11 or zones 10 to 11?

Answer: Unfortunately, the information is not consistent. For example, California Polytechnic State University says the tree grows in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. The Missouri Botanical Garden says the tree grows best in zones 10 to 11. The difference in the minimum temperature in zone 9a and 9b might be important with respect to the plant’s successful growth. Zone 9b has milder winter temperatures than zone 9a.

If you want to grow a rainbow eucalyptus where you live, it would be best to consult a local expert who has experience with growing the tree in your climate or who has knowledge about the likelihood of growing the tree successfully in your area. A local person can probably offer you the best advice. Some places have small areas with a microclimate that is warmer than the hardiness zone data for the area indicates, which is something else to consider.

© 2015 Linda Crampton

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on February 27, 2020:

I think they are attractive trees. They are certainly unusual!

Avarie on February 27, 2020:

They are cute

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on February 09, 2020:

Thank you for the comment, Jean. I live in Canada and have never been to Texas. If you contact the San Antonio Botanical Garden, the staff might be able to tell you where rainbow eucalyptus trees have been planted in the state.

Jean Foster on February 08, 2020:

These trees are awesome. So are your pictures. But I want to see some real ones. Do you know where in Texas I could see some --in a park or botantical garden? I live near San Antonio.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on March 19, 2019:

Thanks for the comment, Larry!

Larry Slawson from North Carolina on March 19, 2019:

Wow! That is so cool. I never even knew about this, until now. Thank you for sharing Linda!

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on October 09, 2018:

Yes, that's one thing that makes life so interesting! Thanks for the comment, Ziyena.

ziyena from the United States on October 09, 2018:

You learn something new every day!

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on June 26, 2018:

That's an interesting way to describe the colour pattern on some of the trunks!

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on October 03, 2017:

Hi, Willow. As I say, the rainbow eucalyptus requires a warm environment and moist soil and is intolerant to frost. According to the Missouri Botanical Garden reference, it's winter hardy to USDA zones 10-11 and does best in full sun and in a medium to wet, rich soil.

Willow on October 02, 2017:

What about the habitat? Not a lot info about that.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on September 18, 2017:

Thank you, Rajan.

RAJAN on September 18, 2017:

Nice Information.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on April 27, 2016:

Thank you very much for the congratulations, Alun. I appreciate your visit and comment a great deal. I hope you do eventually get to see a tree in real life!

Greensleeves Hubs from Essex, UK on April 27, 2016:

That is one amazing tree Linda! A lot of Eucalyptus trees have attractive bark but this is so colourful, as you say, it almost looks artificial. But the video shows the colours in all their glory, and the video and the text shows and explains how the colours are produced and change as each layer of bark is exposed to the air and then peels away. Very interesting, and I certainly hope to get to see this tree live one day.

A well laid out hub on an unusual subject. I should have seen this before, but better late than never - well done and congrats on the HOTD award it received. Alun

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on October 08, 2015:

Thank you very much for the kind comment, Scribenet! I agree - the rainbow eucalyptus is an awesome tree.

Maggie Griess from Ontario, Canada on October 08, 2015:

This is another awesome tree. Too bad they are only tropical. I just learned something new. Great Hub!

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 08, 2015:

Thank you very much for the lovely comment, Audrey.

Audrey Howitt from California on May 08, 2015:

Wow! What a beautiful tree, and beautiful hub!

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Thank you for the visit and the comment, lyoness913.

Summer LeBlanc from USA on May 04, 2015:

Wow, this is absolutely beautiful, and such a well written article- I really enjoyed it! Thanks :)

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Thank you for the comment and the congratulations, Thelma! I appreciate the votes as well.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

I'd love to see a photo of your bonsai rainbow eucalyptus, hostaguy! Thank you very much for the kind comment.

Thelma Alberts from Germany and Philippines on May 04, 2015:

Congratulations on the HOTD! A very informative hub. Voted this up and awesome. Thanks for the heads up.

frank nyikos from 8374 E State Rd 45 Unionville IN 47468 on May 04, 2015:

Linda, I'm so glad this article was chosen as Hub of the Day. You did a great job on it. I still have this tree listed on my "keep an eye out to find" list. I'm too cold to have it grow outside. So , I push the limits and grow as bonsai :-)

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Thanks, DLeighAlexander. I appreciate the congratulations!

DLeighAlexander on May 04, 2015:

What a beautiful tree! I had never heard of this tree before and enjoyed learning about it--your pictures are fascinating and the Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree is a gorgeous part of nature.

Congratulations on Hub of the Day!

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Thank you very much for the kind congratulations and the comment, Bill.

Bill De Giulio from Massachusetts on May 04, 2015:

Congratulations Linda. What a beautiful tree, never seen anything like it, just amazing. Well deserved HOTD.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Hi, RoadMonkey. It would certainly be lovely to have a rainbow eucalyptus tree in a garden, as long as the garden was big enough! Thanks for the visit.

RoadMonkey on May 04, 2015:

What a shame they wouldn't grow here - too cold. I would love to have one of these.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Thank you, Tricia. I think the rainbow eucalyptus is unusual and beautiful, too!

Tricia Deed from Orlando, Florida on May 04, 2015:

What an unusual and beautiful tree. Nature sure has its surprises. I learned something new today. Thank you.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Thank you very much, vasanthatk.

vasanthatk on May 04, 2015:

Amazing pictures and the write up too. Voted up.

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on May 04, 2015:

You're very welcome. I hope to get a HOTD someday, when you'll return the favor

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Thank you, Kristen. I appreciate your comment and congratulations very much.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Thank you very much, zeenat.

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on May 04, 2015:

Alicia, although I've commented on this hub awhile back, I wanted to congratulate you for the HOTD, too! I still loved this hub.

zeenat from Bangalore, India on May 04, 2015:

wow, its interesting.... I had no idea that colorful eucalyptus tree also exist. looking soo beautiful... Thanks for sharing this knowledge.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Thank you for sharing your experience, My Bell. I appreciate your kind comment and your vote, too.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Thank you very much for the comment and the congratulations, colorfulone!

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Thank you for the congratulations and the second visit, Heidi! I appreciate your comment very much.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Thank you very much for your comments, whonunuwho! I appreciate your visit.

whonunuwho from United States on May 04, 2015:

Beautiful work my friend and such a wonderful tree that is so representative of the painter's pallet. whonu

Marcelle Bell on May 04, 2015:

I saw these beautiful trees on a trip to Maui with my husband. They smelled so good too! Congrats on this HOTD that is very well written and has beautiful pictures! An up vote from me.

Susie Lehto from Minnesota on May 04, 2015:

Nice to see this beautiful hub as HOTD.

Congratulations, Alicia!

Heidi Thorne from Chicago Area on May 04, 2015:

Thought this was one of the most interesting and beautiful hubs when you first published it. Definitely deserving of Hub of the Day! Congrats!

whonunuwho from United States on May 04, 2015:

Beautiful trees and so astonishing that they are living works of art. Well done my friend. whonu

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Hi, RTalloni. Thank you for the congratulations. I love your idea about the benefit of a rainbow eucalyptus tree!

RTalloni on May 04, 2015:

Congrats on your Hub of the Day award for this neat post on an amazing variety of eucalyptus. Growing one would indeed be worthwhile. I would love to own on for a lot of reasons, but one of the best would be to let it inspire me to write children's stores. Thanks for highlighting it for us with interesting info.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Thank you very much, Bill. I appreciate all your support.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on May 04, 2015:

Just stopping by again to say congratulations on the HOTD. Well-deserved!

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Thank you for the comment, votes and shares, Mary! I appreciate them all.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Thank you very much, Susan. The rainbow eucalyptus is definitely photogenic! It's a beautiful tree.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Hi, Peg. They are certainly amazing trees! Thank you for the congratulations.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Hi, Cyndi10. Thanks for the comment, the congrats and the vote. I appreciate your visit.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Thanks for the congrats, Faith. I hope you have a great week, too.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Thank you very much for the comment, stevbonhage.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on May 04, 2015:

Thank you very much for the return visit and the congratulations, Flourish!

Mary Hyatt from Florida on May 04, 2015:

Congrats on HOTD! This is certainly a beautiful tree. If it likes warm weather, I wonder is it would grow in S. Florida. I'll have to research that a little more. I watched the interesting video. Boy, talk about tiny seeds!!

Voted this one UP,etc. Will share here and on my "Tree" Pin board.

Susan Deppner from Arkansas USA on May 04, 2015:

The rainbow eucalyptus is beautiful, interesting, and so very photogenic! Very interesting read. Congratulations on HOTD honors today!

Peg Cole from Northeast of Dallas, Texas on May 04, 2015:

When I first saw these photos I couldn't believe they were real. The appearance of the bark of the Rainbow Eucalyptus tree is amazing, almost cartoonish with its vibrant coloring. This was interesting to learn.

Congratulations on the Hub of the Day award!

Cynthia B Turner from Georgia on May 04, 2015:

Congrats! Great article. I have to echo what others have already said, I had no idea this tree existed. You have packed a lot of information about the tree in your hub. It makes you want to travel to the Philippines to see it or Indonesia to see it. Voted up.

Faith Reaper from southern USA on May 04, 2015:

Congrats on the HOTD! Well-deserved as always.

Hope you have a great week ahead.

Blessings

stevbonhage on May 04, 2015:

Nice one! Had no idea such a trea existed. Good read with loads of valuble information

FlourishAnyway from USA on May 04, 2015:

I'm back to say Congratulations about HOTD! Well done!

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on April 20, 2015:

Thank you very much for the comment and the vote, Besarian!

Besarien from South Florida on April 20, 2015:

The colors are stunning! I had no idea this tree existed. Thanks for introducing it to me. Voted up!

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on March 07, 2015:

Thank you very much, Kristen. I appreciate the comment and the vote!

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on March 07, 2015:

Way cool and awesome hub. So unusual and pretty at the same time. Voted up!

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on February 16, 2015:

Thanks for the visit, Rota! I hope you find a rainbow eucalyptus one day.

Rota on February 16, 2015:

Gosh, what a pretty tree. I don't think I've ever seen it here in Australia. But I will definitely be on the lookout for it from now on!

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on February 15, 2015:

Thank you very much for the kind comment, Deb!

Deb Hirt from Stillwater, OK on February 15, 2015:

I found this both remarkable and filled with much knowledge. Thanks once again for piquing my curiosity and answering so many questions.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on February 12, 2015:

Thanks for the comment and the pin, Peggy! I agree - the bark does sometimes look like an abstract painting. It's certainly beautiful.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on February 12, 2015:

The closeup photos of that bark almost looks like an abstract painting. Beautiful colors! Pinning this to my trees board. Interesting hub Alicia!

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on February 09, 2015:

Thank you very much, Vellur. I love the smell of eucalyptus, too!

Nithya Venkat from Dubai on February 09, 2015:

Great hub about the Rainbow Eucalyptus. The peeling bark is really beautiful. The smell of the leaves are so refreshing.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on February 06, 2015:

Thanks, Flourish. I guess in some places people are used to the colours and also need to make money. It would be hard for me to see a rainbow eucalyptus destroyed, though!

FlourishAnyway from USA on February 06, 2015:

Great hub! It looks like someone splashed paint on it. How unfortunate that they're simply harvested for paper.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on February 05, 2015:

Thank you very much for the lovely comment and for the vote and share, Patricia. I appreciate your visit and the beautiful angels that you send. I would be constantly looking at my rainbow eucalyptus if I had one in my garden, too!

Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on February 05, 2015:

How cool is that. If I had one in my yard I fear I would be so by it that I would never do anything but adore it.

Spectacular...thanks for the introduction

Voted up++++ Shared

Angels are on the way to you this evening ps

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on February 02, 2015:

Hi, vespawoolf. I hope you are able to see a rainbow eucalyptus in real life one day. It certainly is a lovely tree.

Vespa Woolf from Peru, South America on February 02, 2015:

I´d never heard of this tree until reading your Hub. Eucalyptus trees are common in the Andes mountains of Peru, but I´ve never seen this variety. How beautiful! I hope to see it in person someday.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on February 01, 2015:

I agree, poetryman6969 - it's a lovely photo of a particularly colourful tree. Thanks for the visit.

poetryman6969 on February 01, 2015:

That first photo is particularly fetching. How lovely!

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on February 01, 2015:

Hi, Shades-of-truth. I went to Hawaii many years ago, but I don't remember seeing a rainbow eucalyptus tree. I'm sure I would have photographed it if I had! Thank you very much for the comment.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on February 01, 2015:

Thank you so much for the comment, the vote and the share, ologsinquito! The rainbow eucalyptus would certainly be a beautiful ornamental tree. I'd love to be able to grow one.

Emily Tack from USA on February 01, 2015:

Wow! I have not been to Hawaii, but my husband has. I am going to ask him if he saw these spectacular trees when he was there. Gorgeous article!

ologsinquito from USA on February 01, 2015:

That tree shown in the video is amazing. These would make beautiful ornamental trees if you live in the right type of climate. I can see why people would want them. Great article. Voted up and shared.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on January 30, 2015:

Hi, Pamela. I agree - it is a gorgeous tree. It's been introduced to Hawaii, Florida and California and also grows naturally in countries near Australia, so you may not have to travel far to find a tree. I think the journey would definitely be worthwhile! Thank you very much for the comment.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on January 30, 2015:

I think this is a gorgeous tree. I never saw a tree with a trunk so beautifully colored. I obviously need to travel to Australia! This was a very interesting and hub loaded with beautiful pictures.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on January 30, 2015:

Hi, hostaguy. It would be wonderful if a rainbow eucalyptus could grow as a bonsai tree! Thanks for commenting.

frank nyikos from 8374 E State Rd 45 Unionville IN 47468 on January 30, 2015:

Cool. Now I will have to find a source and see if I can bonsai one :-)

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on January 30, 2015:

Hi, Lady Fiddler. Yes, the tree is very beautiful! Thank you for the visit. I appreciate it.

Joanna Chandler from On Planet Earth on January 30, 2015:

WAW!!! The things God has created is so awesome for the eyes to see. That tree looks so beautiful as it sheds it skin/bark "pretty isn't it"

Thanks for taking the time to share with us :)

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on January 30, 2015:

Hi, firstday. Yes, the rainbow eucalyptus trees with the vivid colours are truly amazing. I like the ones with the palers colours, too. I think they're so pretty. Thank you for commenting.

Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on January 30, 2015:

Yes, that's a definite benefit, Fred!

Rebecca Be from Lincoln, Nebraska on January 30, 2015:

Someone recently posted a picture of one of the Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree on TSU and I could not believe my eyes. Thanks for your posting so we can enjoy this tree.