How efficient is Eucalyptus where water use is concerned?
Eucalyptus evolved in the arid lands of Australia and is a very efficient water user. In fact, Eucalyptus uses less water per unit weight of biomass than many other trees and agricultural crops (Chaturvedi, 1987, Davidson, 1995). The annual rainfall in the U.S. South is similar to regions of Brazil where this type of Eucalyptus is grown, and there have been no known problems with water. Forest hydrology experts in the U.S. estimate that a plantation of fast growing Pine would use approximately the same amounts of water as a Eucalyptus plantation.
