The eucalyptus is an attractive evergreen tree grown primarily for its foliage and peeling bark. These trees can grow quite large if left unpruned. But with certain pruning techniques, you can enjoy this tree even in a small garden. Find out how you should cut eucalyptus in this article!
What you should know about the different types of eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is native to Australia, where more than 600 different species have been counted. In Europe, eucalyptus is now also planted in the Mediterranean countries, England and Scotland. Eucalyptus is not really hardy in Germany, although some species can tolerate frost themselves. They are usually vigorous trees that grow too large to be kept as container plants. In full soil they are susceptible to a lot of moisture, frost and large temperature changes. Reasons to try them anyway – their beautiful gray-green leaves (evergreen!) and the scent they give off from leaves or flowers.
Eukalyptus gunnii:This eucalyptus grows to 6 meters high in 10 years at a maximum of -14 degrees Celsius. Most commonly sold. It has bright green bark, sometimes with a red tint. Cross-hatched small round leaves (juvenile form), later heart-shaped, elongated gray-green leaves, short-stemmed, smelling of menthol. Sensitive to frost. The leaves of the juvenile form can be preserved by cutting the plant back heavily each year.
Eucalyptus niphophila:This plant grows up to 10 meters high, maximum -20 degrees Celsius. Leaf is very small when young, later narrowly elongated, with red petioles. Beautifully peeling bark (green, gray and cream), growing vigorously in later life.
Eukalyptus pauciflora:This grows 5 meters in 10 years, maximum -20 degrees Celsius. White branches and sickle-shaped blue-green leaves, the trunk later peels off in several colors.
Eucalyptus perriniana:This tree grows 5 meters in 10 years. The branches grow through the middle of the young leaves on the juvenile leaf, the adult leaves are elongated; fast growing.
Eucalyptus powder:This plant grows 6 meters in 10 years, at a maximum of -10 degrees Celsius. It is rarely offered as a container plant, but is widely used as a cut green in floristry, with round blue-green leaves. Not hardy, overwinters indoors, usually a horizontal growing shrub rather than a tree.
Pruning Eucalyptus – Formative pruning like a standard tree
When to cut eucalyptus: Formative pruning, topping and pollination of eucalyptus are best done in late winter to early spring (February to March), just before the plants are actively growing
Standard trees have a clear trunk and a head or crown of branches. Young eucalypts can be grown as standard trees with a 1-2 m high trunk. Eucalypts grow with a clear central leader that grows upwards in front of the other branches. It is important that you do not cut off this central leader as this could affect the final shape of the tree.
Suitable for: E. coccifera, E. dalrympleana, E. gunnii, E. parvifolia, E. pauciflora, E. pulvurulenta and E. urnigera.
First year:
- Remove any side branches from the lower third of the main trunk
- Shorten all side shoots in the middle third of the main trunk by half
- Leave side shoots in the upper third of the main stem unpruned, except for removing dead, diseased or damaged growth
- Cut outward-facing buds so that the resulting growth extends outward rather than toward the center of the tree.
Second year:
- Completely remove the side shoots that were shortened by half in the first year (they should now be in the lower third of the tree)
- Shorten the side shoots in the middle third of the tree by half
- Remove any crossing or misplaced branches in the upper third of the tree
Third year:Follow the same steps as the second year
Cut eucalyptus correctly – years four and five:
- Cut the trunk of side branches to the desired height.
- Continue to remove any crossing, dead, diseased or misplaced branches from the tree's crown
Cutting the eucalyptus bush – this is how it works
This method is particularly suitable for biennial trees of Eucalyptus gunnii, E. globulus, E. dalrympleana and E. pauciflora as it highlights their attractive, round, young foliage.
First year:Cut the main trunk of a two-year-old tree across at the desired height, cutting up to 8 inches above the ground if necessary. Trim the wound so that there are no rough edges.
Second year:Several branches should have formed from the wound and below the ground. Select three or four of them (choose strong, well-spaced branches) and remove all other branches completely, cutting them back to the base
Cut eucalyptus correctly – from the third year:
- Allow the side shoots to grow from the selected branches and remove only those side shoots that are too low and dragging on the ground or crossing, rubbing or otherwise in a bad position.
- Remove any excess new shoots that develop from the base
- Occasional thinning of crowded side shoots may be necessary as the shrub matures.
- Established trees require little pruning other than removing dead material.
Plant eucalyptus in a pot or bucket? You can do thatfind out here!
