ON OUR way back to Mabalacat City last June 18 from our weekly radio program in the City of San Fernando, I was discussing with my radio partner Cecile Yumul why the trimming of the Eucalyptus trees along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) did not start early. It’s very late, we both agreed, as it is already rainy season.
We were right. Last June 22, a strong thunderstorm toppled several Eucalyptus trees along the Mexico stretch of NLEX creating monstrous traffic. Power lines were also damaged causing power outages in many areas including Angeles City. The roof of a covered court which was just outside the NLEX fence was damaged. As of Saturday, June 25, some tree branches at the middle of the expressway are yet to be hauled.
This is not the first time that the towering trees at NLEX, specially the Eucalyptus, have been knocked down by strong winds, hence the need for regular trimming. There were instances too when Gemilina trees were uprooted by strong winds because they have shallow roots. Both Eucalyptus and Gmelina are not native to the Philippines and are even considered invasive species.
According to the website gardeningknowhow.com, “growing eucalyptus in wind prone areas can be dangerous. Eucalyptus hazards include branch breakage, limb drop and complete tree failure at the base of the root plate – which is called wind throw. Most eucalyptus trees and windy conditions don’t go well together”.
Here’s one more danger. Did you know that Eucalyptus trees are highly flammable? That’s because they contain aromatic oil. Ignited trees have been known to explode. These trees, especially the blue gums (Eucalyptus globulus) are sometimes referred to as "gasoline trees." They are even blamed for the wildfires in Australia.
David Bowman, a forest ecologist at the University of Tasmania in Australia said that at very high temperatures, eucalypt species release a flammable gas that mixes with air to send fireballs exploding out in front of the fire. During summer, grass fires are common along NLEX which make the Eucalyptus trees potential fire bombs. So why was this non- native tree planted along the entire stretch of NLEX?
Most species of Eucalyptus trees are native to Australia. In fact, Koala bears feed on them. There is however a species which is native to the Philippines. It’s the Eucalyptus deglupta , commonly known as the rainbow eucalyptus, Mindanao gum, or rainbow gum. It is locally called Bagras and often found in the rainforest of Mindanao. It has a multi-colored bark which features all the colors of the rainbow, hence the name Rainbow tree. After the tree sheds its bark, it bursts into a technicolor display of oranges, blues, and greens.
Eucalyptus deglupta is also native to Indonesia where it is called Leda, and in Papua New Guinea where it is called Kamarere. It is the only Eucalyptus tree which is native in the Northern Hemisphere, and the rest are from Australia.