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Pruning/topping? A eucalyptus tree.
Hello all,
I asked a while back for an identification on this tree and was told it was a eucalyptus.
The tree now is about 20 feet tall and is spreading out quite a bit at the bottom, my question is when would be the correct time (if ever) to prune some branches off near the bottom with loppers? Also...... should I be looking to get someone in maybe to reduce it in height? The height isn't an issue as it is far away down the bottom of the garden, I was just wondering if was better to keep this type of tree to a certain height?
I hope the photos help.
I also hope this is the correct forum for questions on trees.
Thanks.
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Posts
If you prune all the lower branches to stubs. they will probably regrow and you will have juvenile foliage to use for flower arranging etc. As regards height, eucalyptus will regrow even if you take the lot down to stumps. I've done it. Its now back up to 25 ft in a few years.
I planted one 30 yrs ago. After about 15 years it grew to over 100ft. It cost £400 to reduce by 50ft. Within another 10 years it was back to 100ft and about 40ft wide. It then cost £1100 to have it chopped right out and I've still got a stump over 5ft across which is at last slowly rotting.
Where the roots have rotted the lawn dips in places by about 9"
BEWARE!
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Do NOT plant eucalyptus trees in small or medium-sized gardens, ever!
Thanks for the replies,
So am I right in thinking that it won't harm the tree if I cut some of the lower branches back (for ease of cutting the grass around it mainly), and I could also have a go at reducing the height myself if possible?
Upon further inspection, it appears it has been cut back to about a couple of feet above ground level in the past, there now appears to be 4 main "trunks" (if that's the correct description) which have grown around the one that was cut back.
As it is I could probably reduce the height myself, and save on expensive charges, is there a right and wrong time to reduce it in height? I.e not in winter etc.
Thanks
Sorry to say this but the base of that tree looks pretty horrible. I'd advise uprooting it as soon as possible and replacing with a more reasonable native tree.
This is very easy to deal with.. I'm in my mid 60's and arthritic but I'd have that done in less than half hour, so I'm sure you could manage it yourself?..
You need some useful tools, which you may not have though. I would saw away some lowest branches so you can mow the grass easier, but I might leave a light branchwork as otherwise you could end up with a lollipop effect tree if you prune away too much. I'm not keen on that with Eucalyptus, but it may not bother you... I would also try and saw off that stump in the middle that's been cut before, and try to reduce it further, it looks a bit ugly...
As for the top, I have an ordinary ladder and an 8 foot long tree pruner, with these I would prune off about 6 to 8 foot off the top of the tree, probably only 3 or 4 cuts to be made looking at the branches, and it's all done in a jiffy there.. this is a job I used to do in Spring every year, as these trees, and you have a Eucalyptus gunii variety, grow at least 6 foot a season, and it's important never to let them get away from you, but it's fine to do it now, don't worry about the weather, just do it...
They are useful trees for blocking out neighbouring buildings very quickly, and I think a bit wasted as lawn specimens, but I used to grow a rambling pink rose up mine, plus I planted dark pink flowering Cistus purpureus around the base, but this is for an adventurous gardener, and that may not be you..
Have fun, and do take care with it.... simple with the right tools... enjoy your gardening ...you have a nice outlook it seems and these are beautiful trees, if kept in check...
Thanks Marlorena,
Thats reassuring to know, I have some telescopic loppers which will be fine for the smaller lower branches, looks like i will invest in a tree pruner at the weekend for the higher thicker main trunks.
You learn as you go along, thanks again.
I should add, looking again at the bottom photo, where the trunks look thicker and the tree taller, if you want to take it down further, then I would use a saw to cut through those trunks, at whatever height I was comfortable with on the ladder, [might need someone to steady it on grass]. It's perfectly alright to cut back as far as you want, or are able to manage without over exerting yourself, they will quickly regrow, and by next year will be shooting up again, but the shoots will be thinner and easier to keep under control...
Just saw your post above, that's ok, I'm sure you'll be fine with it, I don't think you'd need to get anyone in quite honestly...
Last edited: 14 August 2017 22:30:21
Thanks again,
At the risk of sounding pretty naive here, am I right in thinking you can "shape" the tree as you go along? If that makes sense? i.e, reduce it by half in height now, then trim the newer growth next year to an appealing shape? if that possible....
Yes absolutely.... with this Eucalyptus you can do any number of things, including pollarding or coppicing if you want, right down to near ground level... not a tree to fret over, as long as you keep on top of it.. I also wouldn't worry about pruning in the winter either, unless you are expecting freezing conditions, but these are very hardy trees here...