The Euchalyptus Tree is about 25 feet or so all together. The main trunk is about 6 feet high with a diameter of about a foot and there are 2 upright branches. Strong winds in January forced it over so much that it now has a permanent lean of about 30 degrees, there is also minimal earthrise at its base but current high winds don't seem to be making it any worse. 1 branch is almost vertical but the other looks as though it is pulling the tree off balance. Should I remove this branch? And prune the other? Or cut them both back? Or cut it down to the main trunk, if so how far? I've heard euchalyptus can survive forest fires in Australia and grow again but will hard pruning kill it off? I don't want to lose it as it was planted when my daughter got married - some of its twigs/leaves were in her wedding bouquet. If it will survive really hard pruning when is the best time to do it and when would be the time to avoid? Thanks in anticipation to all you gardeners out there!
2007-02-28 07:42:35 · 7 answers · asked by Irene M 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
I am in SoCal and my silver dollar eucalyptus blew over in the santa ana winds about a year ago. I would remove that branch and prune the other. It is next to impossible to kill it by pruning. The trunk on my tree literally broke off about a foot off of the ground. I nearly freaked when our arborist hacked it back to the ground because I thought it would surely kill it. Believe it or not, that thing now has 4 trunks and is over a story high. Now is a good time to do it if you are in a frost free zone, like I am.
2007-02-28 07:57:10 · answer #1 · answered by eskie lover 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in Australia and I can tell you that Eucalypts are as tough as old boots. Bushfires don't just take the bottom branches, fires go up through the canopy and burn it completely. The trees usually loose all the very small branches and twiglets and regrow from the main trunk.
When they are used for street planting in Australia, they are regularly trimmed by chainsaw. Removing branches at least 6" plus. The trees send up a hundred shoots from the remaining branch and of it goes again. The reason they are pruned here is they have a survival instinct that allows them to cast of huge branches if they are in prolonged drought for survival reasons. As mentioned when the weather improves that grow masses of shoots. They are shallow rooted in town gardens as they get enough water (they are used to arid areas) from surface watering eg lawn water. You should give it a regular deep watering to encourage it to root deeper.
I'd remove the branch on a funny angle, and trim the other back to some buds on the trunk if you can find some. Mostly they come back no problems, as mentioned even fallen trees quite often regrow from around the trunk or roots.
It wouldn't hurt to come back a bit from the trunk dig down to the roots and nick a few with a knife, or chop a few of the smaller ones off. You might find a whole new tree will sucker from the root at that site. This could solve all your problems, a new fresh tree, without the lean, let it mature (which should be quick with all the old roots) and cut of the old trunk. Same tree new beginings. These trees come from very tough environments and will have a go if they can, there is always a chance that it will die but if you take it slowly eg just chop of the one branch to start with I think you should have a 90% chance of success.
Prune in spring when growth is getting going but not to hot and stressful. Don't overwater but give regular watering to encourage the suckers after pruning etc. Hope you save it.
2007-02-28 18:58:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eucalyptus trees have very shallow roots and as a result if left to grow un-pruned has a tendency to blow over is strong wind.
In the wild the trees are subject to animals eating the lower branches as well as bush fires burning the lower sections of the tree off. I have had two large euchalytus trees and have pruned both of them very hard with no problems.
If I was you I would look at the tree and see which branch is on the opposit side to the lean and cut of the other branch. On the trunck of the tree there will be many small leaves growing, cut all them off.
So long as you leave some green at the top of the tree you will be fine.
If possible chop the top of the tree off as this will slow down its vertical growth.
2007-02-28 11:27:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The rule for pruning any tree is to only remove a maximum of 25% in reduction of overall size. This will enable the tree to repair any wound's without stressing it too much. Eucalyptus being an evergreen can be pruned all rear round although the best time to prune trees is in the summer, when the tree is at its full potential and can heal and sustain its self the best. For a tree such as yours i'd seek professional advice. Contact a local tree surgeon for a free quote..
2007-03-02 03:07:16 · answer #4 · answered by PliNk_PloNk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pruning is an art and of course also a trait !!!
especially since you like and love the EUCALYPTUS TREE so dearly it is always better to call on an expert in this line, who can come and see the exact situation and advice you accurately in your own better interest and to save the tree's life !!!
2007-02-28 07:52:13 · answer #5 · answered by cabridog 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
eucalyptus, bamboo before people plant these foreign species they ought to concider what they are in store for so cut it two 3ft and hope for the best at least you will improve your friendship with your neighbours
2007-02-28 10:18:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
my husband weilds his saw away at mine and it shoots back up within a month and you can't tell he hacked half of it off!!!
2007-03-04 06:08:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋