Eucalyptus Tree
Martin Hasker
house it stands about 45 feet high at the moment. I know I should cut it
down to prevent damage to the foundations of my house but how hard can they
be cut back without killing them as a hard cut back may be better. that way
I keep a tree that I like and does not do any damage
any one with any suggestions
Martin
Lincolnshire
Morley
Martin Hasker wrote in message
<792be2$kjq$1...@nclient1-gui.server.virgin.net>...
your foundations. In my limited experience they're more likely to blow down
in a gale than anything else and/or suffer windburn. How long have you
lived in the house? Morley
ntba...@globec.com.au
<m.ha...@virgin.net> wrote:
>I have a large Eucalyptus tree growing about 15ft from the end wall of my
>house it stands about 45 feet high at the moment. I know I should cut it
>down to prevent damage to the foundations of my house but how hard can they
>be cut back without killing them as a hard cut back may be better. that way
>I keep a tree that I like and does not do any damage
>any one with any suggestions
>
>Martin
>Lincolnshire
>
>
g'day martin,
a eucalyptus that close to a building, not heard ofv where i live in
queensland, generally no closer to structures or utilities than about
60 feet or more..
they can be lopped back pretty hard but don't do it, as the sucker
growths are more prone to dropping off than the original growth.
my advice get a very experienced tree removal person in and have it
removed for your safety and property protection.
- -
happy gardening
'it works for me it could work for you,'
<http://www.globec.com.au/~ntbandit/>
alt' em address #1 <gard...@hotmail.com>
alt' em address #2 <ntba...@my-dejanews.com>
"old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill"
dave-...@ilsham.demon.co.uk
>I have a large Eucalyptus tree growing about 15ft from the end wall of my
>house it stands about 45 feet high at the moment........
Martin, in the conventional sense, Eucalyptus rarely any direct damage
to house foundations since the minimum requirements for footings and
foundations for the best part of this century, are more than a match
for the fine, very fibrous root system of Eucalyptus species. Unlike
most large trees, Eucalyptus are shallow rooted forming 'mats' of fine
rootlets with very little in the way of thick, woody, spreading,
'ram-roots' as seen in Cherries, Willows and the like. Unfortunately,
they do not produce any deep 'tap' roots either and a tree your size
is probably sitting on a dense 'cushion' of root, barely more than 2.5
metres deep and 4 - 5 metres across at most with
thin, feeding roots extending out for about as much again.
Any damage caused is most likely to arise through 'shrinkage' on clay
soils during very prolonged, hot dry periods such as during the
summers of '89, '90 & '91. You also need to watch out for falling
branches in high winds. It is not unusual for immense, main branches
to be severed in gales and massive trees half as big again, can topple
with remarkable ease. Generally, even Eucalyptus planted 30 feet away
from tall buildings or other structures will have a slight tendency to
lean away from them. If they are going to fall, nine times out of ten
it will be in that direction. Unless of course, hurricane force winds
push it over towards your house.
The tree can be very heavily (brutally almost) cut back, with all
growth removed and only the main framework of branches remaining.
These can also be shortened or even pollarded so only the trunk and
the branch bases remain. The tree will respond by producing masses of
shoots close to the cut surfaces as well as the base of the trunk,
from incipient buds deep within the bark. These shoots will need a
considerable amount of thinning out unless you want to maintain the
tree as a pollarded specimen. Subsequent branches formed will not be
as resistant to wind-sheer as those they have replaced and are far
more likely to fall away. This is partially due to the weakness of
the 'jointing' between new and old branches as well as the wood itself
having a tendency to 'split' with comparative ease.
I suggest you call in a buildings inspector to ensure that the
foundations and footings are not being affected by 'shrinkage'. If
they are, the tree will have to come out, but if not, I would leave
well alone with the exception of removing or at least shortening
branches that may be overhanging roofs, pathways etc.
David Poole
TORQUAY
Laurence G. Tilley
writes
>a eucalyptus that close to a building, not heard ofv where i live in
>queensland, generally no closer to structures or utilities than about
>60 feet or more..
scales are a little different. Some gardens don't extend 60' from the
house!
>
>they can be lopped back pretty hard but don't do it, as the sucker
>growths are more prone to dropping off than the original growth.
>
>my advice get a very experienced tree removal person in and have it
>removed for your safety and property protection.
like a long broomstick which sticks out from the ground at 45 degrees.
It has to be repititively strapped up. I don't think we're talking
about a plant thriving in it's natural environment. I'll rejoice if I
see any suckers (or koalas for that matter) on mine.
Regards,
Laurence G. Tilley
http://www.lgtilley.freeserve.co.uk/
Morley
Laurence G. Tilley wrote in message
<7P3$AhAHK0...@lgtilley.freeserve.co.uk>...
<snip>
>It's fairly rare I think to get them to do well in our climate. Mine is
>like a long broomstick which sticks out from the ground at 45 degrees.
>It has to be repititively strapped up. I don't think we're talking
>about a plant thriving in it's natural environment. I'll rejoice if I
>see any suckers (or koalas for that matter) on mine.
>
>Regards,
>
>Laurence G. Tilley
>http://www.lgtilley.freeserve.co.uk/
But *where* in our climate. Here in S. Devon they thrive and have to be
brutalised to control them. The next door garden and the one opposite have
trees over 20' tall! The one I had in Jersey was the same. Morley
dave-...@ilsham.demon.co.uk
>It's fairly rare I think to get them to do well in our climate.
It all depends upon the species being grown Lawrence - and where you
live as well. E. dalrympleana, gunnii, niphophylla, nitida,
parvifolia and pauciflora are often extremely 'good do-ers' in many
parts of England, all of Wales as well as s.w. Scotland. If planted
as small (12" high) seedlings, grown up for a year, cut back hard to
12" during the following spring and then allowed to develop, most will
go on to form good sized specimens of 20ft and more in all but the
coldest of areas. The problem is garden centres tend to sell 4 - 5ft
high, pot bound specimens which have little hope of settling in and
the unknowing and unwary,will insist on buying them. With Eucalyptus,
small is always best - especially with the faster growers.
The 'Tasman Blue Gum' E. globulus can do well in sheltered sites in
the Midlands and virtually all counties south - there used to be a
splendid 25 - 30 footer at Edgbaston Botanical Gardens, Birmingham.
In southern counties and many coastal areas, a huge range of
Eucalyptus species thrive, many growing to quite considerable
proportions and 30 - 40ft or bigger specimens are by no means
uncommon. In south western counties, provided drainage is perfect,
there are very few species that won't give a good account of
themselves - including many of the 'mallees' as well as the larger
growing colourful flowered species such as E. caesia, ficifolia and
leucoxylon.
David Poole
TORQUAY
Laurence G. Tilley
<fa...@swhl.nospam.demon.co.uk> writes
>But *where* in our climate. Here in S. Devon they thrive and have to be
>brutalised to control them. The next door garden and the one opposite have
>trees over 20' tall! The one I had in Jersey was the same.
tree eeks out its existance here in Warwickshire.
Nick Maclaren
<dave-...@ilsham.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>Laurence Tilley wrote:
>
>>It's fairly rare I think to get them to do well in our climate.
>
>It all depends upon the species being grown Lawrence - and where you
>live as well. E. dalrympleana, gunnii, niphophylla, nitida,
>parvifolia and pauciflora are often extremely 'good do-ers' in many
My (very limited) experience plus observations is that the location
is the key - and it is not the macro-location but the micro-location.
Eucalyptus are very sensitive to wind, both because they blow over
and because they freeze in cold winds, so it is essential that they
are grown in moderately sheltered positions.
Regards,
Nick Maclaren,
University of Cambridge Computing Service,
New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QG, England.
Email: nm...@cam.ac.uk
Tel.: +44 1223 334761 Fax: +44 1223 334679
dave-...@ilsham.demon.co.uk
>My (very limited) experience plus observations is that the location
>is the key - and it is not the macro-location but the micro-location.
>Eucalyptus are very sensitive to wind, both because they blow over
>and because they freeze in cold winds, so it is essential that they
>are grown in moderately sheltered positions.
Quite right, but of paramount importance is ensuring the plants
develop a good root system in the first place. Small plants with a
greater proportion of root:top growth ratio are really the only way to
go. I've have both E. gunnii and E. dalrympleana growing successfully
in very exposed and cold spots (in the Midlands, not here). These
were planted at about 10" high and withstood very high winds plus the
big freeze of 81/82 without any problems.
David Poole
TORQUAY
dave-...@ilsham.demon.co.uk
>Ah yes, well you are virtually in Australia down there! My sorry little
>tree eeks out its existance here in Warwickshire.
withstanding virtually anything that Warwickshire can throw at them.
You should try te Snow Gum - E. niphophylla - its as tough as old
boots and possibly the hardiest of the lot. Not as fast as the
others, it slowly makes a small tree with fantastic bark.
Having grown them very successfully to a good size without problems at
Bromsgrove, Stourbridge and near Kidderminster, I'm convinced your
original plant must have been at fault. E. gunnii is also very hardy
and relatively easy in your part of the world, but if you start off
with a 3 - 5 footer in a 6" pot, the plant will not establish as well
and is likely to lurch precariously at the first hint of a breeze.
David Poole
TORQUAY
Susan Young
Nick Maclaren wrote in message .
>>
<snip>
My (very limited) experience plus observations is that the location
>is the key - and it is not the macro-location but the micro-location.
>Eucalyptus are very sensitive to wind, both because they blow over
>and because they freeze in cold winds, so it is essential that they
>are grown in moderately sheltered positions.
>
>
Another important factor is seed provenance. The 'same' species can have
differing hardiness depending on where the seed comes from, which seems to
imply that Eucalyptus can adapt over time to suit the climate. One nursery
(Mac Foliage) growing eucalyptus mainly for foliage is situated on
Dartmoor - not as cold as some parts, but plenty of cold winds. For
example, Eucalyptus nichollii which grows there is supposedly not very
hardy, but the trees which come from the seed of their plants are reasonable
hardy, simply because the parents are so.
Incidentally , it is a particularly beautiful Eucalyptus with narrow leaves
of various shades of green, red and blue.
Sue Y
Pierre Depape
> Having grown them very successfully to a good size without problems at
> Bromsgrove, Stourbridge and near Kidderminster, I'm convinced your
> original plant must have been at fault. E. gunnii is also very hardy
> and relatively easy in your part of the world, but if you start off
> with a 3 - 5 footer in a 6" pot, the plant will not establish as well
> and is likely to lurch precariously at the first hint of a breeze.
>
> David Poole
> TORQUAY
My eucalyptus gunii is 3 years old and it has resisted strong winds and
frost (up to -10°C). It now is about 3 metres high (it was less than a metre
high when I planted it). What you need is a high support so that it doesn't
blow over. I've transplanted to a hole in the pyracantha hedge where it is
less likely to get full wind and summer sun only in the morning.. In
Toulouse, summertime is a real headache to gardeners for it's usually
incredibly hot and dry and some plants are likely to get sun scorched very
easily while autumn, winter and spring are more or less the same as in
Britain.
Isabelle
ntba...@globec.com.au
<laur...@lgtilley.freeNOSPAMserve.co.uk> wrote:
>In article <36b4cce5...@news.globec.com.au>, ntba...@globec.com.au
>writes
>>a eucalyptus that close to a building, not heard ofv where i live in
>>queensland, generally no closer to structures or utilities than about
>>60 feet or more..
>I guess it takes you a week to ride round your ranch too eh? English
>scales are a little different. Some gardens don't extend 60' from the
>house!
>>
well then i suppose people should really think long and hard before
planting in those situations, i have a 27 perch yard definately no
room for the larger type 'euc's' that have been mentioned her.
the rule of thumb is as tall as the tree will grow to is the distance
needed from any structures or above ground utilities, gum trees just
don't seem to develop root systems that strong, and if you've ever
seen one that has fallen the root system doesn't resemble the branch
structure they always seem to be top heavy.
i've just read in the thread where some still advocate heavy lopping
that just makes them more dangerous, and that some haven't blown over
'yet' is just that 'yet', it's not 'if' it's 'when'.
>>they can be lopped back pretty hard but don't do it, as the sucker
>>growths are more prone to dropping off than the original growth.
>>
>>my advice get a very experienced tree removal person in and have it
>>removed for your safety and property protection.
>It's fairly rare I think to get them to do well in our climate. Mine is
>like a long broomstick which sticks out from the ground at 45 degrees.
>It has to be repititively strapped up. I don't think we're talking
>about a plant thriving in it's natural environment. I'll rejoice if I
>see any suckers (or koalas for that matter) on mine.
>
>Regards,
>
>Laurence G. Tilley
>http://www.lgtilley.freeserve.co.uk/
- -
ntba...@globec.com.au
wrote:
g'day isabelle,
how tall is your 'gunii' at this stage? they are capable of growing to
heights of 30 to 40 feet.
i'm not trying to stir anyone up in the group it's just that with
'gums' a lot of care needs to be taken before selecting them for the
ordinary garden, there are the smaller bushy types which probably
aren't quiet as attractive as the large varieties that are better
suited to small gardens like most of us have.
Nick Maclaren
<ntba...@globec.com.au> wrote:
>On Sat, 06 Feb 1999 18:44:29 +0100, Pierre Depape <pde...@cadrus.fr>
>wrote:
>
>>frost (up to -10°C). It now is about 3 metres high (it was less than a metre
>
>how tall is your 'gunii' at this stage? they are capable of growing to
>heights of 30 to 40 feet.
10' - 3 metres! Bean says that they can grow to 100' plus, and the
largest in the UK (in 1957) was 96'.
>i'm not trying to stir anyone up in the group it's just that with
>'gums' a lot of care needs to be taken before selecting them for the
>ordinary garden, there are the smaller bushy types which probably
>aren't quiet as attractive as the large varieties that are better
>suited to small gardens like most of us have.
I don't think that any of the bushy types are hardy. Certainly, the
smallest one described in Bean is E. parvifolia (30'), and there are
only two others that grow to 50' or less. But a good many of them
grow in a shrubby fashion if they don't like the conditions, and that
is quite often true in the UK.
But I agree that I wouldn't plant one close to a house because, if it
grew well, it would rapidly become dangerous. The same applies to a
fair number of native trees, too.
dave-...@ilsham.demon.co.uk
>10' - 3 metres! Bean says that they can grow to 100' plus, and the
>largest in the UK (in 1957) was 96'.
Which goes to prove they can and do get very large in the right
situation given the right conditions and started off in the right way.
I seem to recall that Bean refers to several specimens grown here in
the South West, so it is unfair to make a generalisation based upon
comments made there. However, large species do get very large in the
south, reasonably large in the Midlands and moderately large in
sheltered parts of the north. Whatever some folk may say, Gums and to
a lesser extent, Mallees are successful in the UK., even if they reach
barely a quarter of their normal size.
>>i'm not trying to stir anyone up in the group it's just that with
>>'gums' a lot of care needs to be taken before selecting them for the
>>ordinary garden, there are the smaller bushy types which probably
>>aren't quiet as attractive as the large varieties that are better
>>suited to small gardens like most of us have.
E. niphophylla and pauciflora are both every bit as attractive - if
not more so. They often work well in this respect - rarely hitting
more than 30ft in the best of situations and considerably less in poor
areas. Both have wonderful foliage when mature.
>I don't think that any of the bushy types are hardy. Certainly, the
[snip]
>grow in a shrubby fashion if they don't like the conditions, and that
>is quite often true in the UK.
Quite right, the 'Mallees' are a group of 'bush gums' with woody
rootstocks that are occasionally tuberous and often produce rather
untidy growth running from 6 - 15ft or more. Many produce
spectacularly coloured flowers and a few, such as E. macrocarpa
(Bluebush) bear fabulously silver blue, dense foliage that outclasses
the likes of E. perriniana (Silver Dollar) by a mile.
However, most of the 'Mallees' are desert or sub desert species and
rarely tolerate the levels of wet we see in the average winter. Even
down here, I only bother with one - the very 'dwarf' - E. eximia
'Nana' with lush foliage and stunning golden flowers. It is hardy
here but I cannot vouch for it elsewhere. It struggles up to around
8ft at most and really needs a thin, poor, excessively well drained
soil. I grow it on a pile of builder's rubble and 'dose' it with
sequaetered iron each spring.
>But I agree that I wouldn't plant one close to a house because, if it
>grew well, it would rapidly become dangerous. The same applies to a
>fair number of native trees, too.
A big gum could be a problem - not only here but also in its native
land. Common sense dictates that any tree with a tendency to grow
large, should be sited well away from a building. However, many
species are well suited to 'wall-treatment' and can be safely trained
against warm house walls. I seem to remember the last time I visited
Valerie Finnis at her 'grace and favour' house on the Duke of
Buccleugh's estate at Northampton, she had a large gum was 'wall
trained' to well over 20 ft high. Roots aren't the problem,
oversized, heavy branches are.
Sue mentioned provenance - it is a key factor with 'exotic' species
and quite a few people have been caught out by seed raised plants with
lowland, warm temperature loving parents. Eucalyptus gunni and
dalrympleana have extensive ranges from warm. mediterranean type
climates, right up to near arctic, mountain conditions. You don't
need a degree in 'rocket science' to work out which is most likely to
succeed here. You have to check the source.
David Poole
TORQUAY
ntba...@globec.com.au
>In article <36bca202...@news.globec.com.au>,
> <ntba...@globec.com.au> wrote:
>>On Sat, 06 Feb 1999 18:44:29 +0100, Pierre Depape <pde...@cadrus.fr>
>>wrote:
>>
>>> My eucalyptus gunii is 3 years old and it has resisted strong winds and
>>>frost (up to -10°C). It now is about 3 metres high (it was less than a metre
>>>high when I planted it). ...
>>
>>how tall is your 'gunii' at this stage? they are capable of growing to
>>heights of 30 to 40 feet.
>
>10' - 3 metres! Bean says that they can grow to 100' plus, and the
>largest in the UK (in 1957) was 96'.
>
yeh i've got 2 across the road and down a bit that are around 40 to 50
feet and growing, gums have a favourite little trick of dropping
branches dead or green at any time all you hear is a crack and a thud
as they hit the ground, would hate to be under one.
>>i'm not trying to stir anyone up in the group it's just that with
>>'gums' a lot of care needs to be taken before selecting them for the
>>ordinary garden, there are the smaller bushy types which probably
>>aren't quiet as attractive as the large varieties that are better
>>suited to small gardens like most of us have.
>
>I don't think that any of the bushy types are hardy. Certainly, the
>smallest one described in Bean is E. parvifolia (30'), and there are
>only two others that grow to 50' or less. But a good many of them
>grow in a shrubby fashion if they don't like the conditions, and that
>is quite often true in the UK.
>
>But I agree that I wouldn't plant one close to a house because, if it
>grew well, it would rapidly become dangerous. The same applies to a
>fair number of native trees, too.
>
>
>Regards,
>Nick Maclaren,
>University of Cambridge Computing Service,
>New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QG, England.
>Email: nm...@cam.ac.uk
>Tel.: +44 1223 334761 Fax: +44 1223 334679
- -
James Annan
>
> Lawrence wrote:
> >Ah yes, well you are virtually in Australia down there! My sorry little
> >tree eeks out its existance here in Warwickshire.
> Not a problem, there are several species that are capable of
> withstanding virtually anything that Warwickshire can throw at them.
> You should try te Snow Gum - E. niphophylla - its as tough as old
> boots and possibly the hardiest of the lot. Not as fast as the
> others, it slowly makes a small tree with fantastic bark.
Maybe in theory, but my parents had a niphophila which died
one winter after a few years of apparently happy life. This is
on the west coast of scotland, where hard frosts are rare.
James
--
James Annan jdan(at)pol(dot)ac(dot)you-kay
Proudman Oceanographic Lab
Bidston, Merseyside, L43 7RA
Victoria Clare
>dave-...@ilsham.demon.co.uk wrote:
>>
>> Lawrence wrote:
>> >Ah yes, well you are virtually in Australia down there! My sorry little
>> >tree eeks out its existance here in Warwickshire.
>> Not a problem, there are several species that are capable of
>> withstanding virtually anything that Warwickshire can throw at them.
>> You should try te Snow Gum - E. niphophylla - its as tough as old
>> boots and possibly the hardiest of the lot. Not as fast as the
>> others, it slowly makes a small tree with fantastic bark.
>
>Maybe in theory, but my parents had a niphophila which died
>one winter after a few years of apparently happy life. This is
>on the west coast of scotland, where hard frosts are rare.
? bad luck?
There is a fantastic niphophila at Ness gardens on the Wirral which is
a largish tree.
It has become one of my 'tree ambitions' (for when I have more
space!). It is more doing the sheltering for more delicate plants
than sheltered itself, and truly stunning.
(Gunnii seem to be popular garden trees here (Chester) too)
Victoria