Why Does China Ban the Planting of Eucalyptus? An Analysis of Four Major Reasons

I remember when I was a child, eucalyptus trees were planted everywhere at doorsteps and across the fields, and when they grew to a certain size, they were used to make various kinds of timber or to extract eucalyptus oil. Now, they are almost all gone, and it turns out the state banned their planting. So why does China ban the planting of eucalyptus? What uses does it have?

I. Introduction to Eucalyptus:

1. What kinds of eucalyptus are there?

Forest red gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), swamp mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta), white gum (Eucalyptus alba), wild eucalyptus, lemon-scented gum (Corymbia citriodora), river red gum (Eucalyptus exserta), slash pine gum eucalyptus (Eucalyptus obliqua), and straight-trunk blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus).

2. Is eucalyptus poisonous?

Eucalyptus is not poisonous. According to research by the Eucalyptus Research Center of the State Forestry Administration, eucalyptus is not only non-toxic, but can also be used to extract eucalyptus oil for cosmetics, toothpaste, mouthwash and so on, and can be used directly by animals and humans.

II. Why Does China Ban the Planting of Eucalyptus?

According to surveys, since the introduction of eucalyptus in our country, many places where eucalyptus was planted in natural forests and mixed forests have been extensively damaged, leading to soil compaction, impoverishment and desertification, and causing the surrounding original trees to stop growing. At present, Guangxi in China has already proposed a ban on planting, and those who violate the regulations are subject to a penalty of more than 500 yuan and less than 10,000 yuan, which shows how harmful eucalyptus can be. The specific reasons for the ban are as follows:

Reason one, high water demand: eucalyptus is a fast-growing, high-yield forest species with a very high water demand. Planting it in the soil lowers the groundwater level, and long-term planting causes the soil to compact and become desertified. Therefore, in order to keep soil moisture sufficient, the state bans the planting of eucalyptus.

Reason two, high fertilizer demand: eucalyptus has high fertilizer requirements. Wherever eucalyptus is planted, soil fertility drops greatly, causing the original vegetation to die from a lack of nutrients. Therefore, in order to ensure sufficient soil fertility, the state bans the planting of eucalyptus.

Reason three, hindering the growth of original crops: during its growth, eucalyptus secretes a chemical substance that hinders the growth of other plants. Large-scale planting makes it impossible for other surrounding crops to grow, leading to ecological damage. Therefore, the state bans the planting of eucalyptus.

Reason four, releasing odors harmful to the human body: eucalyptus itself is non-toxic, but it releases an odor harmful to the human body, and it is very difficult to remove completely. In addition, it also greatly pollutes water, and drinking it causes great harm to people and poultry. Therefore, the state bans its planting.

III. What Uses Does Eucalyptus Have?

Use one, as medicinal material: eucalyptus has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, anti-itch and wind-dispelling fever-reducing effects, so it can be used to prevent influenza, bronchitis, respiratory tract infections, nephritis, pneumonia and other diseases. In addition, it can also be used to treat burns, skin itching, mastitis and other diseases.

Use two, processed into timber: eucalyptus can be processed into solid wood composite panels, eucalyptus veneer laminated lumber and so on, creating more benefits for industry.

Use three, used for papermaking: eucalyptus contains fiber, making it very suitable for producing kraft paper and printing paper, and the cellulose in it can be processed into rayon, giving it extremely high application value.

Use four, refined into essential oil: eucalyptus contains eucalyptus leaf oil, and eucalyptus leaf oil contains colorless pale yellow eucalyptol, which can be used to make toothpaste, mouthwash and so on.

Use five, extracting gold: according to research by Australian scientists, using X-rays on eucalyptus leaves can reveal trace amounts of gold, so it can be used to extract gold. Generally, the gold extracted from the leaves of 500 eucalyptus trees growing in a gold mining area is enough to make a ring, giving it extremely high application value.

The above is a detailed introduction to China's ban on planting eucalyptus and the uses of eucalyptus. We hope it is helpful to everyone.