Peeling Bark, Swaying Branches and Fragrant Leaves

I know people have mixed feelings about eucalyptus trees. I happen to love them, having inherited a number of different kinds in my Laguna garden. I have taken many of them out to protect the neighbor's views, but they do pop back up rather freely. The great big silver dollar eucalyptus is especially charming and adds a wide swath of lovely shade.

I am also fond of the rather common ones that are straight and tall, mainly for their interesting bark. All of them have draping branches that sway in the breeze adding movement to the garden with the slightest breeze. They are often perches for the lovely peregrines and hawks that frequent the yard. The foliage is considered a natural insecticide and I used to bring branches in to put under the beds to discourage fleas. We never have had a problem with them so maybe it works!