Climatically Suitable Growth Areas for Eucalyptus elata

Known for its narrow, bright leaves with a peppermint smell, Eucalyptus elata typically grows in narrow belts along water courses and valleys and is known as the River Peppermint (CSIRO, 2005). E. elata thrives across a wide range of temperatures (MAT 14 - 19 degree Celsius ), but is susceptible to pest infestations when MAT > 19 degree Celsius (Kunz, 2004). It generally favours cool to warm, humid to sub-humid climates, ideally with daily means of maximum temperatures of 24 - 27 degree Celsius in the hottest month (January), and with daily means of minimum temperatures in the range of 0 - 5 degree Celsius in July, the coolest month (CSIRO, 2005). Eucalyptus elata is, however, intolerant of droughts, and is best grown with MAPs > 850 mm (Kunz, 2004).