Hello, I have a Eucalyptus tree in my garden - it was about 50cm tall when I bought it and after planting it in my garden last spring it has grown to what could easily be 6 metres (about two storeys high.) Problem is that it still has a very thin stem (about 5cm diameter) and it seems to be wanting to grow taller while it's stem/trunk is unable to support it. What can or should I do to limit it's growth upward and instead encourage it to concentrate on thickening it's trunk? The supports it currently has are too short and not strong enough for it, with the result that it's weight pulls it skew each time the wind blows too hard. Changing the supports is not an option because our garden is too small for so much bother around one tree. I would appreciate any advice, Shelley-ann
Rule # 1 with Eucalyptus, never stake or support it. These are lazy trees and will always rely on support after intially receiving it. I'd be ruthless and cut it back hard and allow the trunk to strengthen. In a couple of years or less it will fill out nicely and you'll have a tree that can support it's own weight. I've grown many Eucs and they are a very rewarding tree. Cheers, LPN.
Shelley-ann, Here's a Eucalyptus paucilfora ssp. 'Debeuzevillei' that I cut back hard and it's recovered nicely. Cheers, LPN.