Eucalyptus Tree

[Doug99]

Hi All
I am considering installing solar panels, but my south facing roof is partially shaded by my eucalyptus tree, particularly during winter when the sun is low.
Is the tree the type suitable for cropping or at least reducing its height slightly?
The wife hates the tree and would be happy for it to go completely as it drops lots of tree rubbish onto the lawn (but I clean it up!!)
The tree is over 10m from the house so roots are not a problem.
Cheers All
Doug

 

[elisa123]

It can be pruned over the winter months. I would take it out it's too big. Your neighbours will be grateful.

 

[StephenStephen]

You can reduce the height of the tree.

Eucalyptus: pruning / RHS

Eucalyptus is an attractive evergreen tree grown mainly for its foliage and peeling bark. These trees can grow quite large if left unpruned, but pruning techniques, like coppicing and pollarding, mean you can enjoy this tree in even a small garden.

www.rhs.org.uk

 

[Why Not Indeed]

Your lawn certainly looks like it's doing OK.

 

[Koolpc]

What a lovely tree! Dont destroy it. Look into pruning it...

 

[Odds]

In a rare moment, i'm going to agree with the furry comment above.
Shocking, i know, but here it is...


...your wife is wrong. Taking down that tree would be an act of vandalism. It's a fine thing, and will have no affect on solar panels.

 

[robinbanks]

I didn't hear you mention any positives (to keeping it as is) in your opening post?

 

[Doug99]

Storm Bert has now made me nervous of the tree stability. It has always been leaning towards the house, but yesterday I could see it moving quite considerably.
If I decide to remove it, would the value of the wood pay for its felling by professionals?
Has eucalyptus have any value?
Is it a costly job to remove?..................I know.............it would be cheaper than the cost of a replacement conservatory

Cheers All

 

[jj4091]

Seems to be worth less than a pound/cubic metre if you can find someone who wants it. Proably best to ask a tree surgeon.

 

[StephenStephen]

There's no money in eucalyptus, as far as I know.
It burns well, but the grain is so fine and twisted that it's a nightmare to split.

Personally I'd pollard rather than fell.

 

[lostinthelight]

If I decide to remove it, would the value of the wood pay for its felling by professionals?


Cheers AllView attachment 363937

No, not by a fully insured professional It would need to be climbed and taken down in sections to avoid damage to surroundings . Access for a chipper is another consideration for smaller branches unless you wanted it all left in a heap .
Euc is not the easiest of woods to process being heavy, sticky, hence the Aussie name "gum", tree and if not split when green can be a nightmare. photo shows unkind grain
Beware the "I get my firewood free brigade" that frequent
the social media groups, some of whom have no respect for others property .

 

[dfv8]

I'm not an expert but having a tree surgeon removing some of the crossing branches will open up the tree's structure so that it'll reduce the likelihood of it being blown over by a gale. It's the volume of leaves which increases the side load on the structure.

I'd agree with other comments above that it would be a shame to fell such a magnificent specimen.

 

[hllns]

My dad planted one in his front garden that went up like mad, they can bend *a lot* so I'd not worry about the fact it's bending necessarily.
We disposed of the offcuts (and eventually the tree) by burning in a bonfire if you're able to have one, went up like nobody's business.

 

[Doug99]

I have asked a tree surgeon to pop round over the w/e to consider pollarding.
The canopy is quite high up so am concerned that reducing height by about 6 feet and its width may result in a lot of just bare branches.
Whats not obvious from the image is that the leaf bearing branches all sprout from the upper part of the tree and hang low. Giving the impression that it is leaf bearing from half way up the tree.
Need to establish whether bare branches will sprout new growth.

 

[robinbanks]

It will regrow/releaf. Maybe do it in March though..