Eucalyptus tree - dead?

I've got a eucalyptus tree which was planted last year. It was planted by the previous owners of the house. All the leaves have shrivelled up and the branches all appear dead. The truck, apart from the top foot looks green and alive. Is it doomed or is there something I can do to rescue it?

 

It might well shoot yet, it could be that the winter frosts have killed off the unripe wood at the top of the stem.
I'd leave it for a couple of months or so and see what happens

 

Hi this is my first post so hope I'm doing everything I should be doing.... I've got a problem with a Eucalytus tree and thought I'd add my question to this thread in the hope that someone might be able to give me some advice. My tree has grown quite large and is very close to the house.. I've had some conflicting information about how safe it is as regards root spread, I'm a bit concerned because I've heard that the roots of Eucalytus can cause severe damage to foundations and paths but I've also been told that they are shallow rooted and will be ok if kept well pruned, which I do. I'd be grateful for any help, thanks.

 

I'd get rid of it. Since it comes from a hot dry climate, its roots are naturally long and go deep to get water - so not good near a house - you don't want subsidence problems.

 

Thanks for that dendrobium, it's a shame really to get rid, I planted it in the first place to provide a bit of privacy and I do need something in its place, any ideas? Remember it has to be planted faily close to the house.

 

HI again, has anyone out there got any suggestions as to what I can plant near to the the house that will be big enough to give me a bit of privacy but non-invasive, it has to be at least 9' thanks.

 

Difficult one that, Daisy. I too am uneasy about trees too close to houses, but the eucalyptus might be worth keeping if it is not already too big. With regular pruning (even severe cutting back)you can grow them to any size or shape that you like. In the wild, they are subject to bush fires and continualy regrow. I don't know if their roots are a problem, but have always been guided by the notion that the roots below ground are similar in spread to the branches above ground. If you like it and have kept it to a manageable size, I would carry on with it. The removal of a large tree can affect house foundations because of the void it leaves and because of the water it no longer extracts. Just don't let it get any bigger and be aware that if you want to sell your house in the future, potential buyers might be scared off if it is too close..

 

We have a huge Eucalypts here. They are shallow rooted trees, and also can cope with very, very severe pruning. They will ruin paths sometimes, as the roots often run just under the surface, and can be blown over in very strong winds. If you dont want to get rid of it, just get someone in to give a severe haircut. It may look a bit bald for a while, but will soon sprout back....

 

Daisy I would go for a shrub - how about Viburnum Tinus - rapid growing, evergreen, with white flowers in January. Will take hacking and will grow tall.

If you container grow a shrub or a tree close to the house, there won't be any danger from the roots.

 

Howzabout a strawberry tree? Arbutus unedo. Slowish growing, not too dense, attractive bark - but reputedly prefers acid conditions which could be problematic for some. Grows well in a large pot.

 

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. I'm going to leave the tree until the summer is over but will give it some more thought in the autumn. I'm not a very knowledgeable gardener so I'm not sure what the plants/trees are that you have suggested but I will be sure to look them up and have a think about what to do later. In the meantime the tree has been growing away like it does every year and we are in the process of hacking it back to a reasonable size. Thanks again everyone.....