The strange science behind the 'rainbow' tree

The strange science behind the 'rainbow' tree

This stunning, brightly coloured tree has neon stripes running along its trunk making it look as if it has been painted.

Photo credit: Alamy

Published: November 16, 2023 at 7:00 pm

In the tropical rainforests of the Philippines, New Guinea and Indonesia, grows a tree that looks more like a painting than a plant. The rainbow eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta) is named after the vibrant coloured stripes on its trunk, which appear because the trees shed their thin bark throughout life. 

The brown outer bark peels off in long, narrow strips, revealing neon-green inner bark that gradually changes colour when exposed to air — transitioning to blues and purples, then shades of red, yellow and eventually brown.

Surprisingly, this colourful tree’s main commercial use is in the production of white paper. 

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Asked by: Leslie Willis, Salford

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