Pollarding a Eucalyptus tree....

Do you think I can get away with it?..or should I just chop it down?

Every year I clamber around in it trying to keep it in check but I'm not as nimble as I used to be...Looking back now it's in the wrong place but as I was planting it I came across the remains of the previous owners pet dog I 'panicked' and quickly planted it...Originally it was in the 'right' place behind my chicken coop but I've moved things round since then...I'm reluctant to chop it down altogether and even if I did I'd still be leaving the stump in so as not to 'disturb' the dog...

Would it still grow back from the cut stems with it being an older tree? It would make it easier to keep in check....

Many thanks

 

My guess is that it would - but I ain't sure. There is probably a time of the year to do this when re-growth is more likely. No idea when that is either!

 

How big is it?
Spring it usually considered the best time to cut back I believe.

It should be showing signs of new growth now.

 

It's around 20ft and it is starting to show signs of 'waking up

 

I'd be inclined to keep a good section of trunk and hope for the best.
I killed one once by cutting back an older tree.

 

Thanks Pete,I'll give that a go

 

Which sort of Eucalyptus is it?
Sadly, I also managed to kill a beautiful specimen a few years back. Just be very careful.

 

on Beechgrove tonight they showed it (Euca) what it looked like after it had been badly damaged by the winter of 2011/12 and they had cut it down to a stump and it has grown back really well and they said now is the time to pollard it , they were just cutting a few branches off


So I say yes it will grow back

 

It's a Gunnii Lea

 

thats the best variety to have, for pollarding so you came up trumps Loli

 

You cannot kill a Eucalyptus tree no matter what you do to it. Well, at least that is true here. We have had forest fires that have destroyed a lot of the country and there are only two species which recover naturally ... Eucalyptus and Arbutus.

 

In sunny Mancheser I can kill Eucalyptus off for fun! Seduced by them on a trip to Australia and drawn by the promise of warding off insects - I have bought 4 to date and managed to lose them all ....... I have resigned myself to having to visit them in their native habitat ..... just waiting for those lottery balls!

 

There's a very impressive eucalyptus tree in a totally neglected garden just a couple of streets from me. It stands next to an equally impressive rosemary bush in the same neglected garden. Both spill right over the front wall.

Sorry, I know that doesn't help, but I just thought I'd share it anyway.

 

Eucalyptus easy from seed. Perhaps sow some Gunnii really to plant a replacement, next year, if it doesn't recover?

I've got some (slightly old) spare seed here you are welcome to. Or if a different variety will do I have some seedlings coming on ...

I read a lot of people (who know their Euc's) disliking E. gunnii, although not sure why. Its probably the most hardy, and I think it looks fine. Next time someone on the forums says that I'll ask them "why" ...

Either way, cutting it back hard should give you Juvenile foliage which will be interesting (E. gunnii juvenile leaves are round, and "all around the stem" so to speak) whereas I expect the Adult leaves are just lance shaped (sorry, can't remember)