Eucalyptus Tree

Hello all!

I’m wondering if anyone has knowledge on Eucalyptus tree’s?
When I moved in to my house I inherited a very mature garden. Within it was a Eucalyptus, Holly and Rowan tree. Due to pressure from not so pleasant neighbours, i gave the Eucalyptus a very heavy trim in autumn of 2019. Now I’m left with a bare tree that tried to sprout some shoots in June 2020, but they turned brown and died.
Just wondering if i should show some more patience and see what it produces this year, or do I need to take more off, like down to stump.
I don’t think I’ve killed it (I hope I haven’t), I t’s well established and over 30+yrs old. I think maybe it’s just grumpy with me! Any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks. (Attached before and current pics)

 

So it didn't grow any leaves at all through 2020 but for a few that died back ? They usually bounce back very well after a hard prune .

 

Hello AllisonJ and welcome to GC. It would help if we knew your location/

I live in Algarve and we are overloaded with Eucalyptus naturally. Sadlt at times in the Summer we have fires which burn them totally to the trunk. They recoup quickly but often from the base. They don't die!

 

Hello, @Victoria I’m in the UK. Blackpool, in the North West.

@Perki a few sprouts from the main trunk, which grew for about 4 weeks and then turned brown and withered. So the tree is still currently bare. Before it was cut it was a very healthy tree, so I’m wondering if I’ve shocked it (if that’s possible).

 

I'd wait till late spring to see if anything happens, but evergreens not to have leaves on or showing growth or buds on the stems for that amount of time is usually bad news and it may of died . Like Victoria say they can regrow from the base so if you do cut it right back it still may come to.

 

How late did you cut it back.
Personally I cut back eucalyptus in late spring, once growth is just starting.
I know that sounds bad, but it allows the tree to make good strong growth before the following winter.

Just wondering if those new tender shoots got caught by frost?

I think it will come back, but not until things warm up.
Having said that I did kill one years ago by cutting back too hard into very old wood.

 

@pete i cut it back in Oct 19. So later in the year. That said, we get little frost being a coastal town.
June 20 was a hot summer and the new buds (that died) came through in April-June and died around September-October. So possibly too hot. Although the Eucalyptus is native to hot countries, so I wouldn’t have thought that would be an issue.
sounds like if I get no growth this year, I may need to try taking it down to stump to see if that kicks it in to action. I find it hard to believe I’ve managed to kill off a tree that old and established. Maybe I’m just in denial!

 

Ah, OK I didn't realise you cut it back the year before and it had been through one summer leafless.
Sounds like it might well be dead then.

It wouldn't be heat or a water problem but maybe a case of shock getting cut so hard back in one go.
If it had shoots which then died suggests it died from the root upwards.
You could try removing a small piece of bark at various places down the trunk to see.

 

Thank you all. I’ll have a look tomorrow and check the under bark situation. I know the Eucalyptus, sheds bark naturally to rid itself of any nasties. So hopefully won’t be too tough a job.

 

Hi @AlisonJ , sorry can't offer you any help but just wanted to say

 

You need to cut deeper than the shedding bark, you need to cut right through the bark to the wood, but only a small nick.
If its brown under the bark its dead, if its white and wet, its alive.

 

With it being a euc I'd have expected major regrowth by now. It seems to me like it's probably done for - maybe due to any number of reasons: too much foliage removal in one go; biotic infection; sun-scorch / wind-scorch on new leaves; salty winds on new shoots (if by coastal you mean you live right next to the sea). You've got nothing to lose by waiting a few more weeks ot see if any new green shoots develop. If they do, then trying to keep them going will be the next big thing.

Pob lwc!