eucalyptus trees

Hi everyone i have a question about a eucalyptus tree which is growing in my garden. It is planted in a brick built border which is about 1 metre square. The tree stands approx 25 foot high and is three years old. I have some concerns about the roots of the tree. Are they likely to puncture the brick work or any drainage under the house? If anyone is familiar with how the roots of a eucalyptus tree's grow, i would be interested to hear from you. Would it be advisable to move the tree further away from the house? Look forward to hearing from someone who can help me.
Cheers Lee

 

Hi, Lee B. Welcome to GC, nice to have you on board!

How far is the tree from the house?

So far as I am aware, tree roots generally go down to where the nuritents and water are. Once they reach brick, I think they'll get the message! Be interested to hear what others have to say, though?

[ 14. September 2005, 12:38 AM: Message edited by: michaelmasdaisy ]

 

Hi all,
The roots just keep on going and going. I have known of two different friends who have had extensive work done on drains and sewer pipes in their property where the tree has grown down into the pipe work. It cost a small fortune to put right :(
Eucalyptus will grow very quickly in a year and can get huge.
They say you should not plant one any nearer than 35ft to a building, me I would give it a good prune every year to keep it under control.
They are lovely trees.

 

Thanks for the replies . I think will be moving the tree its about 10 ft from the house and drainage system, i don't want to end up paying out to have repairs done. If i pruned it each year as sam k suggest would that help keep the roots under control as well? look forward to hearing from you, all the best Lee.

 

Only 10ft - a move definitely on the books and ASAP!

 

Agree with all the above re moving the tree to atleast 35 ft from house. However, as my GC name might suggest, I am somewhat experienced in the matter of drains and sewers and if the house is a new or newish build, the sewer system should be impossible for roots to penetrate as it has to be a sealed unit and pressure tested. If you have seperate drains for storm water, these will in all probability be porous pipe or perforated plastic pipe and roots will penetrate. Roots account for about 30% of the blocked pipes I deal with and you would be amazed at how far roots will travel if they get so much of a sniff at water !

 

I am given to understand that Eucalyptus and Willows are equally as bad as each other.

Keep both as far away from houses and drains as possible.

Only my opinion for what its worth.

 

Hi everyone thanks for the replies. I moved the tree to the end of the garden at the weekend. So far it looks ok. Hope it lives.

 

Nic S no ...there is no comparison with Eucalyptus and Willows... I have grown both for many years, both grow very fast, but if you grow Eucapyptus, you can stunt them at very early age about 6 months from seed and grow them as a beautiful shrub and evergreen or plant as a tree and later take top off at 6 ft. and it will stay that hight...but plant very deep as they can easily get uprooted in windy position...I had a 12 and 15 ft uprooted in Jan. gales...they both had a trunk 9-10 "...then we cut them back to 6" and now it's like a pillar of 6" high and 3 ft from ground to top... a real picture...the Willow is about 300 yards away ...lol

Ladybird