Should I remove my eucalyptus tree?

sb44

Mojisola wrote: »

Eucalyptus do regrow after forest fires but I don't know if the roots would survive a cold, wet winter over here.

Yes, but the stump is still in the ground after a fire, I have taken the stump out of my garden, just a piece of root left, about 12 to 18 inches at a guess.

Linton

Cut it down - they can be very vigorous. Ours grew from a 2ft whip to around house height in <10 years. We found that after cutting the tree down fresh shoots came up from the roots for a year or so, but were easily removed. The roots then died.

Mojisola

sb44 wrote: »

Yes, but the stump is still in the ground after a fire, I have taken the stump out of my garden, just a piece of root left, about 12 to 18 inches at a guess.

Eucalyptus can regrow from the roots, apparently but I wouldn't worry about it here.

If the bit of root is so small, you could just dig it out.

Otherwise, keep on eye out next spring and, if there is any regrowth, treat it with glyphosate.

theoretica

With the tree in a pot did you cut it back at all? I have a rule of thumb that if you cut back the roots (the food and water supply) you should match this by cutting back the top it is supporting too.

Very likely the root will just die, but take ages to rot. If it doesn't, dig it out later.

sb44

theoretica wrote: »

With the tree in a pot did you cut it back at all? I have a rule of thumb that if you cut back the roots (the food and water supply) you should match this by cutting back the top it is supporting too.

Very likely the root will just die, but take ages to rot. If it doesn't, dig it out later.

Yes, I cut the roots so that the tree would easily fit into the plastic dustbin, I also cut about 4' off the main branches in the centre.

It looks more like a bush on top of a trunk now rather than a tall tree.

I will drag some more of the weed suppressant up tomorrow weather permitting and try and dig around the bit of root that is left. Get as much as I can out and leave any that I can't.

Thanks folks.

madjackslam

Eucalyptus can be coppiced, and look good because they keep the juvenile foliage (round) rather than the mature foliage (long and thin). However, you need to start this process while they are reasonably young.

Rowan is a good option, but better in the ground than in a pot.

A really nice option is a multi-stemmed silver birch, but these can be pricey unless you are willing to try doing it for yourself.

savemoney

I had one that grew near house when we bought it, over a couple of years it got quite big reached first floor level. I cut it down with a saw designed for branches and then I found it fairly each to pull the rest out of the ground, the roots were quite shallow for me

cyclonebri1

You simply have to cut it down.
They are ozzy forest trees, not bushes.

Yes, they look gorgeous, but, and but again, get rid unless it is 25 yards from all homes.

Browntoa

Had to have one removed, grew faster than leylandi tree and had huge roots aiming straight for the foundations of the house

Apparently they suck loads of moisture out of the soil and cause problem's