Rainbow tree

In New Guinea, the Philippines, Hawaii and parts of California, Texas and Florida, a species of eucalyptus called the rainbow eucalypt grows. The name comes from the fact that it has multiple colors on the stem surface.

Bark of the rainbow tree

This unique multi-layered bark is characteristic of the tree. Pieces of bark are renewed annually at different times. The bark is smooth and has different colors depending on its age. On the inside, when very young, the bark is bright green and changes color outward over time to orange, dark green, blue, purple, and finally brown. Exfoliation occurs at the same time in several areas of the tree, where the age, and hence the color, are different.

As a result, the tree won't have the same color scheme twice, turning it into a living work of art.

A tropical tree found in many areas

It is a tropical tree that grows in areas with high humidity and unlike other eucalyptus species, it is also found in the northern hemisphere. Despite its adaptation to cooler temperatures, the rainbow eucalyptus is not resistant to freezing temperatures.

The most intense colors are native to the Philippines and Hawaii.

There are rainbow eucalypt plantations all around the world. In the Philippines it's used for paper, and coffee growers in Costa Rica grow their coffee in the shade. The wood is used for furniture and construction, and in Hawaii for building boats.

It is widely cultivated for ornamental, decorative purposes, for gardens and parks. It is a tall tree, reaching up to 75 m in native areas. In areas where it has been acclimatized, especially in the USA, it does not exceed 40 m.

In the category Wood species find information on more or less well-known trees.