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The
eucalyptus tree was first introduced from Australia to
Europe in the late 18th century by the British botanist
Sir Joseph Banks. The eucalyptus trees, part of the
myrtle family - Mytaceae - was soon planted in abundance
in
Portugal.
The eucalyptus has an
incredible growth rate and can grow up to 60 metres in
height if left. Resilient to fire, reseeding and fully
harvestable within a nine-year period it is little
wonder it is one of the most productive trees on the
planet and a large source of income in
Portugal.
Vast
forests of eucalyptus are present in
Portugal today and
it is used for a variety of purposes including
extraction of it's oils, resin and for pulping to
produce fibrous products such as toilet paper.
The eucalyptus is
relatively simple to grow and harvest. The trees grow
quickly and need relatively little care and attention
during the intervening years. Cut at the base of their
trunks, the trees will simply re-grow.
Cultivation of eucalyptus
has it's hazards though. The oil from the eucalyptus is
highly flammable and during the long, hot summer months
in Portugal where
forest fires are a reality, these
trees burn quickly and at very, high temperatures. The
bark of the eucalyptus tree, which peels and drops to
the ground, is an added fire hazard increasing the
ability for fire to spread.
However business minded
forest owners are all to aware of the dangers of their
crops going up in smoke and ensure the debris dropped by
the trees are kept as clear as possible. Access roads
for logging trucks are also, in general, well
maintained. |
