Eucalyptus deglupta is a tall tree, commonly known as the rainbow eucalyptus, Mindanao gum or rainbow gum. It is found in an area that spans New Britain , New Guinea, Seram, Sulawese and Mindanao, and is the only eucalyptus species with a natural range that extends into the northern hemisphere. It thrives in tropical forests that get a lot of rain.
It is cultivated as an ornamental tree, for planting in tropical and subtropical gardens and parks. It is not resistant to frosts. The showy multi-coloured streaks that cover the trunk are a distinctive landscape design element.
The unique multi-hued bark is the most distinctive feature of the tree. Patches of outer bark are shed annually at different times, showing a bright green inner bark. This then darkens and matures to give blue, purple, orange and then maroon tones. The previous season’s bark peels off in strips to reveal a brightly colored new bark below. The peeling process results in vertical streaks of red, orange, green, blue and gray. The colors of the bark are not as intense outside the tree's native range. E. deglupta grows up to 2 m (6 ft) wide and over 60 m (200 ft) tall.
In the US, rainbow eucalyptus grows in the frost-free climates found in Hawaii and the southern portions of California, Texas and Florida. In the continental US, the tree only grows to heights of 100 to 125 feet. Although this is only about half the height it can reach in its native range, it is still a massive tree.
