The Harvesting of Eucalyptus Oil

Regrowth on Yesteryear Plantations eucalyptus trees

The Past

Commercial harvesting of eucalyptus oil started in Australia in 1852, and this was the beginning of the Australian Essential Oil Industry - an industry that still continues strongly to this day.

The results of that early industry were displayed at exhibitions around the world, their natural properties astounding everyone. A world-wide industry was born.

Today

While there are more than 600 Eucalyptus species and varieties, less than 12 are viable producers of essential oils. These few species produce oils that fall into three broad categories: medicinal industrial perfumery  To ensure the quality and purity of their oils, Yesteryear Plantations still harvests by hand. Radiata Eucalyptus does not adapt well to mechanical harvesting, but trials are starting to show some very promising results convert Radiata Eucalyptus to mechanical harvesting and hedging. The primary concern at Yesteryear Plantations is the production of high quality, pure Eucalyptus oil in an ecologically sustainable manner.

Paul Sturgess has been intimately involved with the Eucalyptus Oil industry since he was in nappies. Here he helps unload the boiler while his father watches.

Production

The growth is removed by hand-harvesting and this harvest is stored in a mobile vat. This vat is then taken to a distillery where it is sealed and connected to a boiler. Steam passes through the leaves in the vat, starting at the bottom, and flows into a condenser that separates the oil from the water vapour.

3,000 kilograms of leaf will yield around 50-90 kilograms of oil, depending upon the variety of the oil. The waste products are steam (water vapour) and shredded leaves and stems which are returned to the Eucalyptus plantation as a mulch for the trees.

Processing

The pure oil is then bottled for use as a pure oil.

Click here to see what products are made from this 100% Pure & Natural essential oil.

Replacing

Every year, around 1000 new eucalyptus trees are planted, making Yesteryear Plantations environmentally friendly and sustainable; and ensuring you always get the best quality eucalyptus products.

This is an example of regrowth at Valley Views, the home of Yesteryear Plantations
	And here you can see that the regrowth on Valley Views is added to existing and habitat trees. This not only maintains the local environment, it helps improve it.