Can i grow a eucalyptus tree in illinois or wisconsin?

Question

I know eucalyptus leaves have oil that acts like a repellent to mosquitoes, see they never leave me alone and eucalyptus worked for me since my parents had a eucalyptus tree in their back yard in california and i rarely got bit. i now live in illinois and probably going to move when my husband and i get the chance to wisconsin and was wondering is it was possible to grow and keep a eucalyptus tree around here. will it survive the winter and/or humidity (since california gets dry heat not humidity) if not is there any other kind of tree or bush that will survive and repell mosquitos? also my dad says he uses a soap that has eucalyptus oil in it that help repell mosquitoes but forgot the name anyone know of it?

Answer 1

I, too, love the eucalyptus forests of California. I would have planted one here in Missouri straight away if they were hardy here, but alas, they will not survivie this winter, nor those of Illinois or Wisconsin.

You can buy eucalyptus plants to put in pots that you can overwinter indoors -- they are a nice "spiller" accent plant with the same scented silvery leaves as the tree, only round. To protect yourself from mosquitoes, plant annuals called citronella near your seating area. You can also get candles and coils in this scent, or use the oil for backyard tiki torches.

Your father may be referring to tea tree oil soap -- this is available at your local pharmacy. Also, Avon's Skin so Soft bath oil is an excellent mosquito repellant, and now they also make a combination sun screen/moisturizing oil spray.

Answer 2

Move the tree inside when it goes below acceptable temps. I grow Plumerias (Hawaiian plant) in Arkansas. The mosquitoes shouldn't bother you in the winter anyways.