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Eucalyptus again!
I have a eucalyptus tree which is about 5ft tall and a standard with only one trunk and no low branches. I am anxious that it does not get too tall and I do prune each branch back to the round-shaped leaves. nevertheless it gets raller each year. I have read on here that these trees can be cut to the ground each year and make new growth over the season, but as mine has only a single stem would that work?




Answers

 

I had one similar to what you described here. I cut it down as it was not growing straight, it looked wrong, I cut it to about 14inches, it is already shooting new shoots all over the place. But... that was me, I do not know about anyone else who may have done so....how successful they were.

3 Jan, 2011

 

Cut it down, by two thirds. Be brave. Worthy

3 Jan, 2011

 

I agree be brave cut it down as described by worthy.

4 Jan, 2011

 

Right! Thanks very much! I'm plucking up courage and hope to perform the operation in the morning!

4 Jan, 2011

 

Practically all Eucs stump sprout enthusiastically--that's how they survive brush fires in Australia.

4 Jan, 2011

 

I would wait a month or two before carrying out the cut. I think you might find the tree sprouting early new growth in a mild spell which then gets frosted and killed spoiling your tree this year.

5 Jan, 2011

 

Cut it down in March, unless we still have arctic conditions - you can cut it down to 6 inches if you're feeling really brave (I know, because I've done it loads of times) - it will respond by producing lots of new stems from the ground. Do this every year, and you'll have a bluey grey shrub about 8 feet high by the end of the growing season each year with juvenile leaves only. It does mean, though, that there'll be a bare spot in the border after stooling each spring, but it grows, as you know, very rapidly.
If you want more of a tree than bush, let the main stem get to, say, 3 or 4 feet, then keep the top trimmed throughout the growing season to a sort of lollipop shape, or a teardrop, whatever you fancy - this is more work and requires constant attention though because Eucalypts have strong 'apical domination' which means they always produce a shoot that reaches for the sky as quickly as possible - cut that one, and another one or 3 take over.

5 Jan, 2011

 

Thank you all once again. Luckily I had a look on here this morning before reaching for the saw, so I'll wait until March! I love the idea of an annual 8ft shrub with only juvenile leaves.

5 Jan, 2011

How do I say thanks?

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