What is wrong with my eucalyptus gunni?

Hi all,

Had a Google but haven't found much that seems to match my gunni. The other one in identical conditions (both potted in same area) is thriving, and this one has started to shrivel up! Soil is moist but not soaking. In full sun. What can I be doing wrong? Do I prune?

 

It sounds as if there might be a problem with the root system. I would leave it alone or dig it up and check the root ball. Your choice!
If your plan was to have two trees the same it would probably be better to lift it and check to see if vine weevil or something similar has attacked the roots and replace if necessary.
I hope you know they will grow to 30-40 ft tall very quickly and the leaves will grow sickle shaped unless you keep them pollarded at approx. 4ft to keep the round leaves. Also, nothing will grow around the bottom of the trees for several yards as they take all of the moisture. Lovely trees if you have the space.

 

I think I would prune out some of the damaged foliage, now would be a good time to do it.

 

Can you show us the pot? They need a sizeable container to be happy. I have one that I totally regret getting and it's in a 60cm pot and will leave behind when we move

 

I agree with @pete and would prune it back, but it isn't very clear from the pic what condition it's in. If they're just planted in compost alone, that won't be ideal either.
They do want to be huge, and will certainly do that in the ground unless cut back regularly, but pots need to be an adequate size to keep them happy, as @amancalledgeorge says.

 

I think it's probably related to the compost it's in too - most likely it's too wet at the roots.
As summer is approaching it'll probably sort itself out as the weather dries up and warms up.
They are not easy to kill.

As mentioned above, they do get to be VERY big trees quickly.
I bought one like yours for £1.99 many years ago and it grew into this-


It cost £1100 to have it removed about 15 years ago.
It was estimated to be approaching 100ft!

 

The same thing happened to me. The tree surgeon was almost in tears when I asked him to fell my 30ft eucalyptus. He eventually went home a happy man because I also asked him to thin and shape a Pyrus salicifolia?, weeping pear, which took him ages, they are so prickly, it looked much better when he eventually decided he had finished. 30 years on and the pear is still going strong.

 

To us, Gunni are like Leylandii and can grow to ridiculous heights for almost any Urban garden.

Perhaps you are in more rural areas of Scotland that have the space for such large trees ?

Either way, ensure yours are well away from any property as it can easy affect the foundations with its roots and its need for water.

 

My stepmother grew several eucalyptus in the long narrow back garden of a terraced house. There was a big storm and at least one of them came down and flattened multiple neighbouring fences!

 

Thanks everyone! That is one big eucalyptus in the photo

Definitely been scared off of putting it into the ground- that was my original plan to move them!

I think from what everyone's saying I should move into a bigger pot, as the ones they are in are a bit small. And I've pruned away the dead growth!

I just think the round leaves are so pretty. I like making dried flower arrangements and thought they'd up the level! they aren't the cheapest thing to buy - hope they survive!

Thanks again everyone for your time

 

When you pot them on I would use a loam-based potting medium with the addition of some coarse horticultural grit in a ratio of about 4:1 … use a pot with plenty of drainage holes and raise it off the ground slightly on little blocks or ‘pot feet’ so that it drains really well when you give the eucalyptus the generous waterings that they need. They are thirsty trees but don’t like their roots being sodden.
Hope that helps.

 

They aren't too difficult in the ground if you just pollard them every year.
You then get a difference in the foliage too, as it's longer rather than rounded, and the colour is more intense
If you decide to re pot though, the one that isn't happy might just need a bit more shade while it recovers. Easier than trying to cope with too much sun.
It's always possible to have two identical plants, growing in virtually identical conditions, but one does well and one doesn't, even if they're bought at the same time and from the same outlet.
Just how it can be with plants of any kind sometimes