Coastal sites

Where salt wind is a problem feedback from customers who have planted Eucalypts as close as 100 metres from the sea has indicated the tolerance of E. debeuzevillei, niphophila and pauciflora to direct exposure to salt winds without scorching. (These species actually occur 150km inland) E. kitsoniana and the coastal provenance of E. globulus are also very promising. In the future it is hoped to find further species that show both salt as well as cold tolerance.

Several large plantings of Eucalyptus have been established on or near the West and South West coasts e.g. Kilmum Arboretum (Argyll), Inverewe and Lyme Regis. These conditions approximate the marine cool temperate climate of Tasmania. But most other species of Eucalypts will not withstand high exposure coupled with salt spray and suffer desiccation under these conditions. Therefore, near the coast with the exception of the above named species it is important to plant where there is existing shelter for the plants. If there is shelter from salt winds your choice will be considerable. If the shelter is not very high it is recommended to coppice the plants, otherwise the trees will make poor specimens. Most species will grow given these conditions.

These comments also apply to the East coast, but only the very hardiest species should be grown, because of easterly airflows during winter bringing extreme cold.