Eucalyptus & The Environment
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Using mulch made from eucalyptus
Question: I've been told not to use eucalyptus wood or leaves as mulch. Why is this?
Answer: It has been thought that eucalyptus gives off chemicals that are harmful to other plants. Some evidence says that nothing usually lives underneath eucalyptus trees. However, this is not true. New research has recently shown that there is no toxicity to young (or old) plants, when mulched with eucalyptus wood chips. In fact, the mulched trees used less water, developed a better root system and had less diseased roots than trees with mulch. Eucalyptus chips do not contain any toxins. The reason plants do not grow well under eucalyptus is because of competition. The eucalyptus root system is a strong competitor for water and nutrients. They also produce lots of litter which tends to smother young seedlings.