Gum

Botanical Name	Eucalyptus spp.
Family	Myrtaceae
Origin	Mostly Australia, few from Philippines

Identification

Trees and shrubs, initial leaves opposite on juvenile plants, otherwise alternate, with aromatic oil glands. Leaves sometimes sickle-shaped and blue-green. Bark smooth, peeling or fibrous. Flowers in heads with numerous stamens (like pohutukawa). Fruit a woody capsule. E. botryoides is the commonest wild species.

Habitats

Indigenous shrub, lowland areas. Habitat preference is species specific. Spread from plantings and not widespread in the wild.

Impact to Biota and Ecosystems

Inhibit growth around themselves through the releasing of toxins into the soil via leaf and bark mulch and insect frass

Dispersal Routes, Vectors, Infestation Sources

Planted for timber and wind-breaks.

Management

Management
Physical Control	Hand pull seedlings. Chainsaw larger trees, some species will regrow from stump, treat with suitable herbicide.
Disposal
Chemical Control	Fell tree and treat with herbicide. If chemical treatment of the stump is not carried out the stump may resprout.
Biological Control
Recommended Approach	Hand pull seedlings. Cut and treat larger trees.