A plant of the arid and semiarid tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 24 - 39?c, but can tolerate 5 - 45?c[418 ]. It can be killed by temperatures of -4?c or lower, though new growth will be damaged if the temperature falls to zero[418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 250 - 1,---mm, but tolerates 150 - 1,200mm[418 ]. Requires a sunny position[418 ]. Succeeds in most soils of at least moderate fertility[418 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 8, tolerating 6 - 9[418 ]. The plant often experiences inundation for part of the year and is also able to withstand up to 7 months drought[418 ]. A potentially very fast-growing species if there is sufficient water, on suitable sites the growth may reach 3 metres per year[418 ]. Under irrigation it should be possible to grow the tree in deserts[418 ]. The tree can be harvested after 8 years from a seedling crop and after 6 years from subsequent coppice crops[418 ]. Annual wood production potential is 3 - 7 m3/ha[418 ]. The tree is fire tender[418 ]. Eucalyptus species have not adopted a deciduous habit and continue to grow until it is too cold for them to do so. This makes them more susceptible to damage from sudden cold snaps. If temperature fluctuations are more gradual, as in a woodland for example, the plants have the opportunity to stop growing and become dormant, thus making them more cold resistant. A deep mulch around the roots to prevent the soil from freezing also helps the trees to survive cold conditions. The members of this genus are remarkably adaptable however, there can be a dramatic increase in the hardiness of subsequent generations from the seed of survivors growing in temperate zones[200 ]. Eucalyptus monocultures are an environmental disaster, they are voracious, allelopathic and encourage the worst possible attitudes to land use and conservation[200 ]. E. microtheca is most closely related to the widespread Eucalyptus coolabah which is found in similar but drier habitats to the south and south-east It is also closely related to Eucalyptus victrix which is found in even drier habitats from central Australia west to the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Drought tolerant once established