I think one of my eucalyptus trees is dying. We planted 3 when we first moved here 4 years ago, one did not survive the first year but the other two have done very well up to this year, now one of them is looking VERY unwell.
Not sure of the variety - the common-or-garden type you get in garden centres.
Now I know it's not veg.... but does anyone have any ideas or know where I might find out?
Thanks
Dying eucalyptus tree....
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The Grock in the Frock
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KERRIJ can u give us more details of what colour the plant is and how the leaves look,im sure someone will be able 2 help.
Love you lots like Jelly Tots
It'a probably Eucalyptus gunnii as that's the one everyone usually offers. It's main claim to fame is that the young leaves are almost circular but the more mature leaves at the top are elongated.
The most common problem with them is drought. Even though they look like they should be OK in dry soil, they are always thirsty. I work in a tree & shrub nursery and we are forever watering the stock we have. The pots dry out far faster than any other tree.
Even if the top dies right out, it's worth cutting back and pollarding it. They have amazing powers of regeneration.
Sue
The most common problem with them is drought. Even though they look like they should be OK in dry soil, they are always thirsty. I work in a tree & shrub nursery and we are forever watering the stock we have. The pots dry out far faster than any other tree.
Even if the top dies right out, it's worth cutting back and pollarding it. They have amazing powers of regeneration.
Sue
Thanks for the replies 
Basically the leaves are drying out, browning then dropping, even this years new growth. THis is the same thing that happened to the first one - though when we dug it up we found that the root ball had never expanded from when it had been in the pot.
If its drought (we have been watering it through the summer but obviously watering cans (hosepipe ban area)) is there any chance it will recover?
It's a strategically placed tree... there is a pylon in the field around the house.... and I would hate to loose it - we would need to replace it with something BIG.
I think it is a gunii - but the one next too it has slightly different bark colour and is doing fine.
Basically the leaves are drying out, browning then dropping, even this years new growth. THis is the same thing that happened to the first one - though when we dug it up we found that the root ball had never expanded from when it had been in the pot.
If its drought (we have been watering it through the summer but obviously watering cans (hosepipe ban area)) is there any chance it will recover?
It's a strategically placed tree... there is a pylon in the field around the house.... and I would hate to loose it - we would need to replace it with something BIG.
I think it is a gunii - but the one next too it has slightly different bark colour and is doing fine.
Eucalytus do become root bound very quickly in pots, so this is one case where I would recommend you tease out the roots when you plant the tree. They are naturally fairly shallow rooted, which incidently makes them prone to blowing over in the UK, so you might want to consider something else next time. If the roots fail to spread out the tree will be affected by drought much more quickly.
You don't give your location, but if you are in the south east I know a few suppliers I could pm you the contact details for that deal in large specimen trees.
Sue
You don't give your location, but if you are in the south east I know a few suppliers I could pm you the contact details for that deal in large specimen trees.
Sue
Thanks I will do - I'm in Berkshire.
If it was drought related - would not copious watering at the first signs of trouble resolve it?
As for tree choice... we need something evergreen but not too dense.... and preferrable reasonably fast growing. Can't think of anything except eucalyptus that fits that bill!
If it was drought related - would not copious watering at the first signs of trouble resolve it?
As for tree choice... we need something evergreen but not too dense.... and preferrable reasonably fast growing. Can't think of anything except eucalyptus that fits that bill!
It's really hard to hand water a tree effectively - if it were allowed I would suggest you left a hose running slowly overnight, but ho hum.....
You could try Phyllostachys aurea or nigra - golden or black stem bamboo. Gets up to about 15 feet.
If you buy another Eucalyptus, see if your supplier can also sell you a watering pipe. This is a piece of flexible drainpipe (really land drain) that you wrap around the rootball and take 1 end up to the surface so you can water straight down to the roots.
I'll pm you some details of suppliers local to you who should be able to help.
Sue
You could try Phyllostachys aurea or nigra - golden or black stem bamboo. Gets up to about 15 feet.
If you buy another Eucalyptus, see if your supplier can also sell you a watering pipe. This is a piece of flexible drainpipe (really land drain) that you wrap around the rootball and take 1 end up to the surface so you can water straight down to the roots.
I'll pm you some details of suppliers local to you who should be able to help.
Sue