Eucalyptus Farming Information Guide

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Eucalyptus Farming Guide:

Eucalyptus Farming
Eucalyptus Farming

Introduction to Eucalyptus Farming:- Eucalyptus is a medium sized to tall fast growing tree and reaches about 25 meter to 50 meter in height and up to 2 meter in diameter. This tree belongs to the family of  “Myrtaceae” with about 325 species of the genus. Eucalyptus is native to Australia, Tasmania & nearby islands. Basically, Eucalyptus was introduced by the British people in 1843 in Nilgiri hills of TamilNadu for fuel and timber purpose. This tree is also called as “gum tree”, “red iron tree”, “safeda or nilgiri”.  E. grandis & Eucalyptus tereticornis are the main commercial species. The Eucalyptus leaves or oil is famous for its medicinal properties and used in herbal products as well.

Major Eucalyptus Production States in India:- Most of the States in India.

Uses and Health Benefits of Eucalyptus Essential Oil:-  Apart from the fuel and timber use, the essential oil extracted from eucalyptus leaves are having great uses and therapeutic benefits. This oil also used in ayurvedic treatment.

  • Uses: Used in soaps, mouth wash liquids, massage oils, air fresheners and bug repellents.
  • Health or Therapeutic Benefits: Eucalyptus helps in curing common cold, flu and fever.
    • Eucalyptus helps in treating sinus and allergies.
    • Eucalyptus helps in wound treatment.
    • Eucalyptus helps in relieving muscle pains.
    • Eucalyptus helps in treating skin related problems.
    • Eucalyptus helps in treating respiratory problems.

Commercially Viable Varieties of Eucalyptus in India:- E Citriodora, E globules, E hybrid, eucalyptus camaldulensis, FRI- 4  and 5.

Clonels : 3, 7, 271,288,316,411,413 and 2045.

Climate Required for Eucalyptus Farming:- Eucalyptus can be grown in wide variety of climatic conditions. However, it thrives best in tropical to temperate climatic areas. This tree can be grown up to 2000 to 2200 m altitude. It requires 4 cm to 40 cm annual rain fall for its growth. This tree has high degree of drought resistance, hence can be cultivated in drought areas and waste lands. In India, eucalyptus tree can be grown in the regions with temperature range of 0°C to 47°C.

Soil Requirement for Eucalyptus Farming:- Eucalyptus plantation can be done on wide range of soils. However, this tree requires deep, rich and well drained loamy soils with sufficient moisture for its best growth and yield. The growth will stagnate on poor heavy, sandy soils, highly alkaline & saline soils. But eucalyptus hybrid species are successfully grown in alkaline & saline soils. This tree comes up very well in the soils with pH range of 6.0 – 7.5.

Propagation in Eucalyptus Farming:- Propagation can be done through vegetative method or seeds.

Eucalyptus Seeds
Eucalyptus Seeds

Land Preparation in Eucalyptus Farming:- The land selected for eucalyptus cultivation should be free from weeds and any previously cultivated crop roots. Couple of ploughings can make the soil to the fine tilth stage. These activities should be carried 3 months in advance before plantation. Other land preparation activities like ridging, harrowing and leveling should be completed by April for monsoon plantation.

  • Pits Preparation: Dig the pit size of 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm in advance of planting. Separate the soil of the top half of the pit and fill this top half soil back into the pit at the bottom and rest of the soil on top.

Planting and Spacing in Eucalyptus Farming:- Usually, the planting of seedlings should be done in July after regular monsoons.

Generally, planting time in north India is in June-July & Feb-March where as in south India is from June-July. Planting time for colonels is all around the year.

  • Plant Spacing: The following chart explains the plant spacing and plant density in eucalyptus farming.

Distance in meters          Type of Planting.      No. of plants/acre

1.5 m X 1. 5 m (ridges)     No Intercropping               1675

1.25 m  X 1.5 m (ridges)   ”                                          2120

2 m X 2 m                         ”                                          1184

3 m X 1.5 m                      ”                                          980

3 m X 3 m                          With Intercropping            484

4 m X 3 m                        ”                                           345

4 m X 2 m                        ”                                           578

3 m X 1.2 m                     ”                                          1220

The most practiced spacing in Eucalyptus Farming is 2 X 2m.

Inter cropping in Eucalyptus Farming:- For getting extra income, most of the crops  except paddy can be grown in first 2 years of plantation. Thereafter, any shade loving crops like ginger and turmeric or medicinal crops can be cultivated along with eucalyptus trees. Additional fertilizers should be applied for intercrops.

Manures and Fertilizers in Eucalyptus Farming:- Eucalyptus plants responds very well to manures and chemical fertilizers. Farm yard manures can be applied every year along with chemical fertilizers. The following chart is fertilizer schedule in eucalyptus farming.

 Year      Month               N.P.K.(or) N/Plant    F.Y.M./Plant/Year

1               After 3 months    30 grams                            2 kg.

2                     ”                     50 grams                            3 kg.

3                     ”                     80 grams                            4 kg.

4                     ”                     150 grams                          6 kg.

Irrigation in Eucalyptus Farming:- Irrigation should be carried out as soon as seedlings are transplanted in the main field. Drip irrigation can be adopted for keeping moisture intact. However, number of irrigations depends on the soil type, weather conditions. Even though eucalyptus is a drought tolerant tree, for quick returns and good yield, an about 25 irrigations should be carried in entire growth period (especially in summer or hot dry season). There is no need of any irrigation in rainy seasons. This tree partially tolerates water stagnation. However, in case of heavy flooding or rain, make sure to drain out the soil.

Weed Control in Eucalyptus Farming:- Manual weeding can be carried out and harrowing should be done 2 to 4 times in winter and summer.

Thinning and Pruning in Eucalyptus Farming:- In case of high density plantations, mechanical thinning should be done after first year of planting. Unwanted, weak and poor seedlings should be removed as part of thinning process. Thinning is done to get large size and straight poles. Basically, the number of thinning operations depends on objectives of the management. In case of clones, no thinning and pruning is required up to harvesting stage. Pruning is required at the end of second year or after beginning of 3rd year.

Plant growth in in Eucalyptus Farming:- The girth of the plant should be measured at 1.4 meter height above the ground level.

Age (Years)         Target           Age (Years)       Target

[In inches]                               [In inches]

1st                          4-8.                6th                 26-30.

2nd                        6-12.              7th                  30-34.

3rd                         12-18 .           8th                  34-38.

4th                         18-22.            9th                  38-42.

5th                         22-26.           10th                 42-46.

Note: Clones perform best results during their first 6 years period.

Pests and Diseases in Eucalyptus Farming:- Beetles are the common pests found and for local diseases and their control, contact nearest forest/agriculture department.

Harvesting and Yield of Eucalyptus:- Basically, the trees are felled after the required time frame and the stumps are uprooted. Generally yield depends on plant density and farm management practices, and the soil richness. With  2 m x 2 m spacing, an average yield of 80 to 100 tonnes/ha in 8 years can be expected where as in 1 m x 1 m spacing, 25 tonnes/ha in 4 years can be obtained.

Read: Eucalyptus Cultivation Project Report.

For Sheep and Goat Farming Information : Read Here.

14 COMMENTS

  1. In case of adverse climates, it’s better go for Polyhouse farming or Greenhouse farming. Most of the states are also providing Polyhouse farming subsides. You can check with Karnataka Horticulture Department.

    Here is some Information about Polyhouse Subsidy.

  2. Hi, I want to know which fertilizer should be given to a eucalyptus tree from cultivation to harvesting. And the time period between these are given. Please advise.

  3. I have my own land in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. please suggest me which kind of tree farming should be better or profitable. Please suggest which kind of crop would be better for me.

    • Well, there is no fixed rule to get profits in any farming. There are many factors that influence profits. However, you should have marketing skills before starting any crop. If you start any commercial crop, look for any contract farming from agricultural companies. Farm management, your dedication, skilled marketing are what makes you profitable in most cases.

  4. Hello Jagdish ji,
    I am from madhya Pradesh. can I grow black pepper with eucalyptus as intercropping.
    Please let me know. My land already have eucalyptus trees of around 20 years old.

  5. Thanks for your article provided a lot of information. I like your post, keep going to bring good things to life.
    They are extremely beautiful.

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