Eucalyptus tree

sparker2504

I have a large Eucalyptus tree, approximately 30/40 years old, if I were to have it cut to say 5ft tall would it then grow new branches that I could control. 

It sheds an enormous amount of leaves, seeds and bark throughout the summer - it’s like having autumn all year round! I don’t really want to loose it completely. 

I am a little wary as we did have two and the bigger one blew down in a snow storm about 10 years ago when it was the size of this one.

Help 😀

amancalledgeorge

They're truly unsuitable trees for domestic gardens. Can you add a photo to give us an idea of the size of this monster? My feeling would be that cutting something this established so radically, it can only give you a really ugly result as the new growth will tend to be irregular. Maybe it's the perfect opportunity to plant something new that makes you happy and won't overwhelm the available space. 

pansyface

Here is a lot of useful information about what is likely to be the result.

https://www.hardy-eucalyptus.com/training-and-pruning

Pete.8

I had a similar situation.
I  had a eucalyptus about 100ft.
I had about 50ft removed.
It bushed out dramatically sideways then continued on its ascent.
Within a few years it was back to about 100ft and I had it removed completely.
Cost me £1.99 for the tree and £1100 to have it removed..

sparker2504

Thanks everyone, i think it may have to go, there tendency to drop branches also worries me. Plus if it blows over like the other one did it will take out either our house or half the neighbors garden! 

punkdoc

Well managed Eucalyptus look wonderful in gardens. I grow several, coppicing them each spring. They grow about 6 feet each year and keep the wonderful blue juvenile foliage. 

Latimer

Sorry to hijack this thread but I have what I am told by my neighbour, whose mother's house we bought, that this tree is a Eucalyptus. It's the only tree we kept but I'm now concerned having read the above!! Should I be looking to get rid of it? 

Pete.8

You could cut it down to about 4ft then keep it managed.
It would bush out in no time then try and keep it down to a manageable size.
As puncdoc says above kept small they can look really good.
There's one near me that is very old yet no more than 8ft and trimmed as a lollipop it looks great and has reverted to the round juvenile foliage

Latimer

Thanks @Pete.8

sparker2504

@London_to_Latimer that was how mine looked when we moved in 20 years ago chimney pot is about a metre high 

Latimer

@sparker2504 that looks bigger than mine and much bushier! Mine only has that bit up top! 😀