Eucalyptus
Fast growing in nature, Eucalyptus is native to Australia, but can now be found all over the world. Its wood can vary in colour, from a cream to a reddish brown hue. In terms of outside capabilities, the wood can be used from furniture to fencing. There are many different species of Eucalyptus, but they are all branded under the one name, which makes it hard to make sweeping statements about the wood.
Pros
– It is possible to obtain FSC certified wood, meaning it was grown sustainably, most likely on a plantation. (ref)
– Eucalyptus is a moderately priced and a somewhat durable wood. (ref)
– It is a fast growing wood, (ref) which is perfect for plantations as it can be harvested and replanted quickly, ensuring sustainability of the wood itself.
Cons
– Eucalyptus will most likely need to be imported in, which means there will be an energy costs to get it into the UK. The origin of the wood will impact how much energy was needed to obtain the wood.
– There are claims the Eucalyptus takes in a lot of water compared to other trees, which can be an issue for water management, along with the sustainability of the areas it comes from. (ref), (ref)
Eucalyptus Summary
Most information regarding Eucalyptus online focused on its role in biomass, with little on gardening uses, from the data found, however, Eucalyptus can be seen as a somewhat durable wood. Its fast growing nature means it can be harvested quickly, providing profits for plantation but also ensuring there is a sustainable supply of timber to meet the demand in the future. However, Eucalyptus may not be environmentally sustainable, as the trees can soak up a lot of water, which is a limited resource, and to transport the wood from abroad can use a lot of energy and potentially emit CO2 into the atmosphere. Sourcing Eucalyptus from third party certifiers such as the FSC can ensure a more sustainable forest and plantation management strategy and ensures the wood used in the garden is more environmentally friendly. Cedar, Acacia or even Bamboo and Douglas-fir can be alternates for Eucalyptus.