Trees

[Aria]

Does anyone know the proper way to top off a tree? I have a silver dollar Eucaliptus that is in dire need of a trim.

[J Kolenovsky]

You don't. =

Aria wrote:

[David Ross]

Unlike most other trees, eucaliptus can be topped. Within 4-6 years, no one will know.

Cut the tree to a stump about 4-6 ft tall in the late winter. When the stump resprouts, select one sprout near the cut to be the new leader. Head the others without removing them and without removing all their leaves.

After 2-3 years, the new leader will be quite vigorous; and the heading cut will be well along to healing. At that time, remove all the side sprouts that you have been heading.

Obviously, you can head far less severely than this. Then the appearance will recover much sooner. However, this gives you an example of how readily eucalyptus recovers from heading.

A 4-acre lot planted with one of the faster growing eucalyptus can provide a family of four with an ongoing supply of firewood for heating, cooking, and hot water. (Remember, the heating requirements reflect the climate where eucalyptus grows.) Wood from one acre is harvested for a year, the next acre is then harvested a year later, etc. Four years later, the trees have regrown on first acre that they are ready to be cut again.