Phenomenal growth rate of tree given to me

[Walt]

I realize this isn't a tropical tree or plant per se, but I believe it's close to a USDA zone 10a tree, and no lower than zone 9b.

In any event, a master gardener friend gave me one of these trees in July of 2011. All she told me was that it was some species of eucalyptus. I've since found out it is Eucalyptus grandis (via the Cold Hardy Eucalyptus Board and confirmed by my county extension office), but it's sterile.

I planted this small tree on July 16, 2011. One year to the day it had grown to at least 25 feet in height. As of today I believe it's approaching 30 feet in height. It's the fastest growing tree I've ever planted. Only my bamboo species are faster.

I found out that my county extension office was involved with a project testing different fast growing plants that could be possibly used as bio fuels, such as sweet sorgum and some species of Jatropha. It was thought maybe this Eucalyptus grandis might be a possibility. The county made a test plot using many of these trees. They were brought in sterile as a precaution to prevent invasivness.

The county had three more small E. grandis in pots they no longer needed and they gave them to me. So that made four of these trees I had. I planted two more of them just a couple of months ago and they are taking off like rockets. I have one left in a pot that I am holding for a friend that wants one. Being in the pot has restricted it's growth to half or less than the other ones I planted of the same size (not counting the one below that I planted last year).

Above photo: Small Eucalyptus grandis tree right after planting, about 4 feet tall. The base of the trunk was maybe 1/2" to 3/4" in diameter.

Above Photo: My Eucalyptus grandis after less than 14 months of growth. Note that banana plants on left have also grown in height as compared to the first photo.

Above photo: I estimate the base of the trunk is close to 6 inches in diameter. Tracfone is used for scale. I realize these trees, due to their fast growth, are brittle and prone to wind damage and toppling; hence, I planted it well away from my house. Anyway, since it was a freebie I thought I would plant it and see what it will do. If one day I don't like it I will have it cut down.

[DoomsDave]

Eucs are fast, and they're not always brittle or short-lived.

If you get tired of them, they make GREAT firewood. Burn HOT.

E. grandis can get big . . .

[Jeff in St Pete]

Walt, that truly is amazing growth in a little more than a year's time. If only all trees grew that fast!

[fastfeat]

There are remnants of a plantation of Eucalyptus grandis (including volunteers) along the west side of US27 in Hendry (or southern Highlands?) County.

As long as there are no girdling roots, not much of a toppling risk on deep soils. Often develops fluted trunks, buttress roots where winds are regular. More likely to toss branches in heavy wind.

One of my favorite trees.

[trioderob]

now if I could only get the Copernicia to grow like that..........

[Eric in Orlando]

Those are very nice.

E. grandis and Corymbia (Eucalyptus) citriodora (Lemon Euc) are the fastest growing Eucs and/ or trees I have grown (other than Schizolobium). The C. citriodora seem much less prone to toppling. We have about a dozen here and all survived the 3 hurricanes of 2004. We had 2 E. grandis. They grew to 30ft within 2-3 years. One toppled over after a severe summer thunderstorm in 2003, the other blew over in 2004 during Hurricane Charley.

[Walt]

Thanks for the comments, all. I wouldn't have normally posted something like this, but I like getting opinions and information by others on new stuff I'm growing.

I'm very impressed with this species -- so far -- not just for it's fast growth, but I like the looks of the tree, with branches almost all the way down to the ground. But I guess that will change based on the photo Dave posted.

And fastfeat, there is absolutely stands (rows) of trees on the west side of US 27 down in Glades County (bordering Highlands County to the south). I've been looking at them for years each time I drive down to Ft. Myers, and I just saw these trees three weeks ago when I picked my wife up at SouthWest International Airport, and I commented to her about them. Maybe the trees I'm refering to aren't the ones you refer to, but they are a species I'm not familar with and they have definitely been planted in uniform rows. They are basically tall and narrow.

Below are four more photos I took today. One of my largest E. grandis and the other three of my second to largest that I only planted this past March.

Above photo: DIfferent view of my largest Eucalyptus grandis tree. Top of tree denoted by red arrow.

A

Above photo: Another E. grandis I planted out on 3-24-12 in front of clump of Philodendron selloums. Tree sapling about 2 feet high.

Above photo: Same E. grandis three months later. Now about 6 + feet high.

Above photo: Same E. grandis just under 5-1/2 months later. Now almost 15 feet high .