Pruning/lopping a eucalyptus

-purple-

Hi all, hope you might be able to help.

I've just purchased a small house which has a eucalyptus (not sure which type) in the back garden. It's about 5 metres high, and I'd like to cut it down a bit, to make it more manageable, and also to stop it blocking light, as I have a very small, north-facing garden.

Do I need to get a professional in to do this? And is there anything else I should know before I arrange to do this?

Thanks for any help you can give

[Deleted User]

-purple- wrote: »

Do I need to get a professional in to do this?

Yes, you need one of these. If you catch him skyving or kipping you might have to sort him out though.

I_have_spoken

TBH I would remove it; now it's that big chopping out the central leader is always going to leave the plant looking 'wrong' and you'll never get a nice looking shrub. Plus eucalyptus grow fast, so it'll be a never ending job.

Digging out eucalyptus is hard work (done it!), they have a very strong tap root.

Something like Daphne odora 'Aureomarginata' will be a far more attractive plant in semi-shade and is slow growing.

theoretica

There are many many types of eucalyptus and you could probably make the best decision by identifying which sort you have. Personally I would rather replant with something edible like an apple.

Davesnave

-purple- wrote: »

Do I need to get a professional in to do this?

I wouldn't, but then I'm a hunky, 5' 4" Pensioner.

With eucalyptus you get adult and juvenile foliage, and the latter is often the more attractive. For this reason, you might consider taking it down to 20cm and then letting it re-sprout this year, to see if you like the stooled effect. You can rinse & repeat many times.

And if you don't like it, you'll be that much closer to getting rid of it!

-purple-

Haha, some of these answers made me laugh out loud

Thinking about it, I would rather get rid of the tree altogether, and I like the look of Aureomarginata (thanks, I have spoken). I'm a bit worried about taking out the root as I'm worried about possible movement in my house - is it possible to cut it back to a stump? As you can tell, I'm no gardener!

Thanks again, all.
-p-

-purple-

jack_pott, I just clicked on your last link! That's terrible!
...okay, I laughed, but it's still terrible!

jules-2005

I've got one that I trim each year, looks lovely. I just take out the main leader and tidy up the rest, quite easily done with some extendable loppers

-purple-

Thanks jules, I might actually try this, as you and Davesnave suggest - as long as it's not too high for me to trim it, I'm happy - and I do like the tree, just not the shadow!

I_have_spoken

I'm a bit worried about taking out the root as I'm worried about possible movement in my house

How close it it? Eucalyptus draw up a huge amount of water so it's not recommended close to buildings, given it'll reach 30m easy.

-purple-

Eek, it's only about two metres away
Poor eucalyptus tree is going to have to get chopped!