Eucalyptus spp. (gumtree) indirect aid in the battle against malaria?

[J Wootton]

not to mention prevention of soil erosion....

http://www.labspec.co.za/l_trees2.htm

This genus consists of more than 600 species. The tree is evergreen and
is one of the tallest trees in the world. Different species are grown
for timber, paper production, oil yield as well as gum production.
Eucalyptus is also an ingredient in tablets for soothing sore throats.

It has been planted in swampy areas where its fast growth demands much
water thus performing a draining function. So, in some areas, it has
indirectly aided the battle against malaria.

Most species are found in the tropics or sub-tropics coming originally
from Australia. Whole forests have been planted in California and around
the Mediterranean to help stem erosion.

Eucalyptus flowers in the tropics almost year-round. A high degree of
cross reactivity among the different Eucalyptus species can be
expected, and occasionaly also to the species of the genus Melaleuca
(t21)

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Trees have been central to human society first because of the discovery
of fire, then shelter, utensils and as a means of transportation. The
availability of trees has determined the migration of peoples and
animals for example on the frozen tundra of Russia. The quests for
firewood in the Sahara and Fertile crescent has hastened the
encroachment of the desert.

In all cultures, trees have played a central role in folklore, being a
symbol of female beauty and death, harbouring both good and evil
spirits, witches and fairies, mystical secrets and history of mankind.
An old tree can summarise the climatic conditions for many hundreds of
years when its rings and bark are examined. Birstlecone pine, Pinus
aristata, in the Rocky Mountains at the higher altitudes has been used
for calibration of C-14 dating clocks. This tree can live as long as 5
000 years. Trees are the oldest living plant in the world (as in
Bristlecone pine) and the largest living plant as in Sequoiadendron
giganteum which grows up to 90 metres on the Sierra Nevada mountains.