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Eucalyptus tree root issues

Mike M

By Mike M
in DISCUSSING PALM TREES WORLDWIDE

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Mike M Collaborator

Mike M

Posted
Posted

My slope has a grove of eucalyptus trees growing behind it. My palm growth has been very marginal this past summer. I had a few very knowledgable palm/cycad guys over this weekend and we came to the conclusion the root system from the eucalyptus trees is steeling all the water and nutrients from the palms. Does anyone have info or expierence with this issue.

Costal San Diego

Thanks. Mike

MattyB Grand Master

MattyB

Posted
Posted

Interesting. I never thought about that. When a palm dies or when you dig a new hole, are you seeing euc roots?

Matt Bradford

"Manambe Lavaka"

Spring Valley, CA (8.5 miles inland from San Diego Bay)

10B on the hill (635 ft. elevation)

9B in the canyon (520 ft. elevation)

Mike M Collaborator

Mike M

Posted
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Yup. From what I am reading they are invasive and thieves of water and nutrients.

Mike M Collaborator

Mike M

Posted
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Anyone else have imput on his?

DoomsDave Grand Master

DoomsDave

Posted
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Any idea what species of Euc?

Could be important.

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

Mike M Collaborator

Mike M

Posted
  • Author
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That I dont know. I could post a pic of them tomorrow. Anywhere the roots reach I have had issues with the palms. Off the slope on he flat ground the palms do just fine.

Jim in Los Altos Grand Master

Jim in Los Altos

Posted
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My neighbor's 100' plus tall redwood tree sucks dry a large portion of my backyard planting area because it doesn't get irrigated in its own yard so I have to water almost daily. The root system is so dense that digging is nearly impossible. I have lots of water loving Archontophoenix and several Chamaedorea species in that area so it's water, water, water. Luckily, the palms are doing well despite all the competition.

Eucalyptus trees emit a toxin through their roots to prevent competition so that could present a problem.

Jim in Los Altos, CA  SF Bay Area 37.34N- 122.13W- 190' above sea level

zone 10a/9b

sunset zone 16

300+ palms, 90+ species in the ground

Las Palmas Design

Facebook Page

Las Palmas Design & Associates

Elegant Homes and Gardens

Mike M Collaborator

Mike M

Posted
  • Author
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Jim. Thanks for the info. I have read the euc's are tough competitors. Trying to figure out what to do next. Any idea how cycads would do in this situation?

LilikoiLee Mentor

LilikoiLee

Posted
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We have the same problem with a Norfolk pine. I wanted to take it out when we 1st started planting palms (so we would have more room for palms) but my husband Mike didn't want to. Everything we' planted around it didn't do well so I gave up planting anything there after the 1st year.

We're wondering if this problem has to do with any large tree or is it specific to only certain trees. Anyone know?

Lee

Lee

Located at 1500' elevation in Kona on the west side of the Big Island of Hawaii.

Average annual rainfall is about 60"; temperature around 80 degrees.

Tassie_Troy1971 Grand Master

Tassie_Troy1971

Posted
Posted

Down here if you want anything to grow nearby you don't plant Eucalyptus that are going to get to a massive size as the roots are very invasive and will take up all available water .

Old Beach ,Hobart
Tasmania ,Australia. 42 " south
Cool Maritime climate

Daryl Grand Master

Daryl

Posted
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Eucalypts are just too dominant...some species are happy to co-exist, but a lot will rob the moisture and nutrients and overall growth of plants nearby will suffer....that has been my experience anyway...

Gold Coast, Queensland Latitude 28S. Mild, Humid Subtropical climate. Rainfall - not consistent enough!

Al in Kona Grand Master

Al in Kona

Posted
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Does anyone know about Eucalyptus deglupta (Rainbow Euc)? Are their roots aggressive in the same manner robbing nearby plants of water and nutrients? I planted one because of their colorful peeling trunk. I'd hate to think of having to remove it in the future.

Hawaii Island (Big Island), leeward coast, 19 degrees N. latitude, south Kona mauka at approx. 380m (1,250 ft.) and about 1.6 km (1-mile) upslope from ocean.

 

No record of a hurricane passing over this island (yet!).  

Summer maximum rainfall - variable averaging 900-1150mm (35-45") - Perfect drainage on black volcanic rocky soil.  

Nice sunsets!

Daryl Grand Master

Daryl

Posted
Posted

Al, the only thing I can comment on with E.deglupta is that they are certainly a very thirsty plant...I had one in a pot that I had to water daily otherwise it would wilt and drop leaves...it would suck the potting mix dry in a few hours, so I would say it has a high water demand...that can only mean one thing...

Also, I would think that if there is abundant ground moisture it may not be an issue, but if your soil dries out, it may go looking...however this is just conjecture on my part...

Daryl

Gold Coast, Queensland Latitude 28S. Mild, Humid Subtropical climate. Rainfall - not consistent enough!

Al in Kona Grand Master

Al in Kona

Posted
Posted

Al, the only thing I can comment on with E.deglupta is that they are certainly a very thirsty plant...I had one in a pot that I had to water daily otherwise it would wilt and drop leaves...it would suck the potting mix dry in a few hours, so I would say it has a high water demand...that can only mean one thing...

Also, I would think that if there is abundant ground moisture it may not be an issue, but if your soil dries out, it may go looking...however this is just conjecture on my part...

Daryl

Thanks Daryl for your comments and experience with E. deglupta. I too feared this might be the case. Luckily I don't have anything planted under or very close to it but I'll keep my eyes open if any plants remotely close show problematic signs.

Hawaii Island (Big Island), leeward coast, 19 degrees N. latitude, south Kona mauka at approx. 380m (1,250 ft.) and about 1.6 km (1-mile) upslope from ocean.

 

No record of a hurricane passing over this island (yet!).  

Summer maximum rainfall - variable averaging 900-1150mm (35-45") - Perfect drainage on black volcanic rocky soil.  

Nice sunsets!

Jonathan Veteran

Jonathan

Posted
Posted

I spent a couple of hours last weekend digging Eucalyptus roots out of my neighbours septic system with my front end loader.

The tree was a large E. viminalis and it was fully 30m (100') from the septic, which was entirely blocked with roots.

If there is water to found, the Euc will find it and use it more efficiently than any palm - it's no contest unfortunately.

Cheers,

Jonathan

  • Upvote 1

South Arm, Tasmania, Australia - 42° South

Mild oceanic climate, with coastal exposure.

 

Summer: 12°C (53°F) average min, to 21°C (70°F) average daily max. Up to 40°C (104°F max) rarely.

 

Winter: 6°C (43°F) average min, to 13°C (55°F) average daily max. Down to 0°C (32°F) occasionally, some light frost.

Mike M Collaborator

Mike M

Posted
  • Author
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Here is a pic of the euc's behind my house. They are for sure getting into my palms and sucking up all the water. I just dug a small one gallon d.ambositrae that my daughter planted and the whole was covered in fine roots all clumped together. They seems to stave the plant of water and nutrients. My neighbor never waters these so the are looking for sure.

Mike M Collaborator

Mike M

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Could not post a pic from iPad.

  • 3 months later...
Alicehunter2000 Grand Master

Alicehunter2000

Posted
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Oh,wow, just found this old thread....maybe it would be a bad idea to plant any eucalyptus in my yard. Don't want anything to damage the palms.

David Simms zone 9a on Highway 30a

200 steps from the Gulf in NW Florida

30 ft. elevation and sandy soil

stevethegator Rising Star

stevethegator

Posted
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Oh,wow, just found this old thread....maybe it would be a bad idea to plant any eucalyptus in my yard. Don't want anything to damage the palms.

Yeah I didn't know this either. Someday I really wanted to grow some E. Deglupta as an upper canopy, with native FL tropical hardwood canopy species underneath, and then sub canopy species and small palms under that (effectively creating a tropical forest in small scale). Should I rethink this dream? Haha

IHB1979 Proficient

IHB1979

Posted
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Maybe Eric in Orlando can chime in, there is a massive Eucalyptus deglupta located in the tropical section of Leu Gardens.

IMG_1518_zpsbe369086.jpg

Here it is from a distance.

IMG_1520_zps79d70759.jpg

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