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Plenty of Shade, But No Mistake: It Already Feels Right at Home

The Eucalyptus tree is one of the most dominant features of the Israeli landscape—so much so that a tourist might easily conclude it has been a local fixture since time immemorial. In reality, it is a "New Immigrant" (Oleh Hadash) that arrived only in the final quarter of the 19th century from its native Australia.


The arrival of the eucalyptus is deeply intertwined with the early efforts of modern Jewish settlement to tackle environmental challenges. The first successful saplings were likely planted in 1884 at the Mikveh Israel Agricultural School. Karl Netter, the school’s founder, personally brought saplings of the River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) from Algeria shortly before his death in 1882. These took root successfully and served as the foundation for subsequent plantings. The tree was introduced to help drain swamps and combat malaria, while also providing a fast-growing source of construction materials, fuel, and shade, as well as an attempt to "purify the air" from what was then believed to be the cause of disease. The most common species planted in Israel is the River Red Gum, chosen for its ability to grow rapidly under harsh conditions.


One of the concepts most identified with the tree in Israel is "draining the swamps." In the late 19th century, when early colonies suffered severely from malaria, Baron Edmond de Rothschild funded the planting of hundreds of thousands of eucalyptus trees in the heart of the marshes. This was done in the belief that their high transpiration rate would pump out the water and eradicate the disease. However, research by Dr. Israel Jacob Kligler in the 1920s proved that the trees' contribution to drainage was very limited. The fight against malaria actually required a more comprehensive approach, including engineering drainage, the introduction of larvae-eating fish, spraying, and public education. Nevertheless, public consciousness cemented the eucalyptus as the ultimate "swamp drainer"—a natural warrior symbolizing the heroism of the pioneers.


An interesting testament to the tree's status can be found in its Arabic nickname: "Shajarat al-Yahud"—the Tree of the Jews. This name arose because the tree was planted in mass around the first Jewish settlements. It served not only for (alleged) drainage but also for afforestation, providing shade and windbreaks, honey production, and timber. Due to its rapid growth rate, it also became a strategic security tool; eucalyptus groves were planted along border areas to conceal troop movements and block enemy lines of sight.


A famous intelligence story, albeit from the other side of the border and with an opposite purpose, is linked to the Israeli spy Eli Cohen. According to widely accepted tradition, during his activity in Damascus, Cohen convinced the Syrians to plant trees, including eucalyptuses, at military outposts on the Golan Heights—supposedly to provide shade for soldiers suffering from the heat. In practice, these plantings became precise geographical markers for Israeli intelligence. The trees stood out against the arid landscape, allowing the IDF to identify the exact location and estimate the size of the outposts. This information was a prominent part of the intelligence package provided by Cohen—intelligence that proved to be of decisive strategic value during the capture of the Golan Heights in the Six-Day War.


On a cultural level, the eucalyptus has achieved mythical status. Naomi Shemer’s song, "The Eucalyptus Grove" (Churshat HaEucalyptus), turned the tree into a symbol of collective memory, home, and the Israeli childhood landscape. Today, the relationship with the eucalyptus is more complex. Because it is an invasive species in certain areas and can displace local vegetation, Israeli nature authorities restrict its planting near riverbeds and sensitive habitats. Additionally, there is an increasing awareness of safety risks; because eucalyptus branches are prone to sudden "limb drop" from great heights—a dangerous phenomenon that has claimed lives in the past—the Ministry of Education prohibits youth groups and students from camping under these trees.


Despite these complexities, the eucalyptus is protected by law, like every tree in Israel, and cannot be cut down without a special permit. This reality reflects the tension between its classification as an invasive species and its status as an inseparable part of the landscape—a reminder of the early days of settlement. For many of us, the scent of its leaves and the shade of its branches remain forever linked to memories of family picnics across the country.

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Image 1: A wet eucalyptus trunk, Pardes Hanna area. Photo: Nir Topper.


Image 2: Leaves of the River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). Source: Wikipedia, Eucalyptus page. By: Vinayaraj, CC BY-SA 3.0.


Image 3: Flowering of the River Red Gum. Source: Wikipedia, Eucalyptus page. By: Eitan Ferman, CC BY 3.0.


Image 4: Ein Amphi, also known as "Ein Eucalyptus," is a magical spot for a dip or a pleasant picnic: a pool of cool, clean water nestled among eucalyptus trees, which keep the area fully shaded even in the height of summer. Source: Midreshet HaGolan website. https://mhg.rgl.org.il


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