This kind of stone, he explains, is particularly good at conducting lightning and often sparks tremendous bush fires that feed on the flammable, oil-laden foliage of the eucalyptus trees and roar through the landscape every few years.

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Lemon juice or vinegar is a much handier way of removing chewing gum from fabric than the eucalyptus oil that the author recommends.

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It is no good China planting kingdoms of eucalyptus at home while bulldozing Congo's rainforest to grow palm oil.

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