I’ve got a Eucalyptus tree that’s grown to a fair size in 2.5 years (from something that was probably no bigger than a few feet tall when we bought it)
I’m constantly having to adjust its position with hooks and bungee cords to help stabilise it as it’s so top heavy now and blows over in strong wind and pulls the roots really tight in the flowerbed. I’m also conscious of the height of it with neighbouring properties.
I’d like to bury it deeper so it’s got more stability, and perhaps chop it back a bit too if needed. Just don’t want to kill it in doing so, assuming the best time to dig it out and bury it deeper will be spring time, but in terms of cutting it back is there any do’s and dont’s?
Any advice is welcome and appreciated!
by JustSomeGeeza
8 Comments
My advice would be to remove it now, you’ve planted a Gulliver in Lilliputian.
I concur! They are very vigorous and unlikely to provide anything but shade and problems!!
The space is just too small for that species of tree in my opinion. I’d move it now while it’s still fairly easy, before it’s big enough to need chopping down.
they grow realllllly fast, from seed you can get one to 6ft in a year. they are shallow rooted and not super hardy, so a bad winter of ~ < -10c will kill it. personally id coppice it on a “kill or cure” bases and see how it responds. they will grow 4-6ft from a stump in a season and make a nice shrub, just prune it hard every spring to keep it small.
if it dies just buy a seedling from a nursery for a fiver or so and try again. Gunii is the best for uk climate imo.
Oh lord 😂🙈
You need to remove this now.
Eucalyptus trees are some of the fastest growing trees you can get & they’re notoriously shallow rooted, meaning they get top heavy & cause horrific damage when they fall over in high winds.
I couldn’t think of a worse position than a raised bed for one!
You need to accept a butter truth that this is not the right tree for your garden unfortunately.
You can potentially replace it with a ‘dwarf’ variety such as France Bleu or Azura, but they’re still vigorous trees that are only classed as ‘dwarf because they’re easier to maintain with heavy pruning to keep them at a good height.
I still wouldn’t recommend anything for that spot other than a small tree such as an Acer or perhaps an ornamental cherry tree.
My in-laws have one and they cut it’s head off every 4 years or so to keep it in check. It doesn’t seem to mind
I’d recommend you watch this video I made before making a decision either way 😊 https://youtu.be/OBgzNXhvrk4?si=VdnkjQNXXxfPJFB9
Keep any and all koalas away. 🧐