Eucalyptus trees

[chrissey]

I planted a Eucalyptus tree in our garden 7 years ago. Although at the time it was a reasonable distance away from buildings etc, about 4 years ago our neighbours built a large conservatory which at its nearest point to the tree is only 2 - 3 metres away. I have been told by people that Eucalyptus trees can be very damaging. The tree is now over 10 metres tall - can anyone advise me whether it will be ok or should I chop it down and treat the stump. Also the soil is a clay - please advise

[shaneystar2]

The thing is with them if you don't keep them in check with regular lopping they grow like Topsy !
We had one which grew at a rate of knots .We chopped it down in the end .I hated doing it but it just became unmanageable .It used to creak like mad in the high winds and I was frightened it would come down.So it had to go.
Ours came down OK and my brother got the stump out with a special thingy ..a stump remover ? Blowed if I can remember what it was called ! You can treat the stump though if you haven't got a brother with a machine .
Or you could get it lopped to a reasonable size but it will need to be kept in check .I think that in our gardens here in the UK they are more trouble than they are worth really .They have an extensive root sytem and take a lot of moisture from the ground .

[SlackAlice]

These tree's love the British climate, ideal conditions. Your ones quite small. I can see one from my garden thats at least twice that height ie; 25-30 metres and a spread of about 10-15 metres.

[Ice.Maiden]

Sorry - I'm tempted to say that the tree was there long before the conservatory, and has a right to grow, but I assume that it's also close to your own house? Might have to come down after all, because of what the others've said.

[thugulike]

I had a huge eucalyptus come down in a storm last year. Fortunately it was at the top of the garden so it didn't do any damage. I have replaced it but will keep this one pruned to a manageable size. They are wonderful trees though, especially in winter when there's nothing much else around in the way of foliage. If you do chop it down have a word with the local florists first as they will pay for the leaves.

[Whoever]

These trees grow incredibly fast and incredibly tall and are very vulnerable in windy conditions so I suspect you are probably storing up trouble for yourself or your neighbour if you continue to keep it, especially if a windy night brings it crashing down on your neighbour's conservatory. Sadly it looks as if felling it would be the best option. There are various treatments you can buy to kill off the stump if you are unable to dig it out. A good garden centre should be able to direct you in the right direction to a suitable product.

[foxyface]

I agree with Ice Maiden that the tree was there before the conservatory. Your neighbours should not have been so stupid to build it so close. On the other hand maybe you planted the wrong type of eucalyptus tree. If you do get rid of it do so because YOU want to. Don't be dictated to by your neighbours. Then go to a good garden centre where can can buy one that is suitable for smaller gardens.
We have a Tree of Heaven in our garden. It was only supposed to grow to 12 feet, but has been in for 30 years now and is 30 feet. We get it pruned regularly. The advantage of this tree is that it has a tap root so doesn't spread. Our neighbours put a greenhouse in the shade of the tree and then complained that it stopped the sun from getting to the greenhouse. How rediculous can some folks be. We still have the tree. The neighbours removed the greenhouse.