Rainbow eucalyptus

[Plantking165]

Quick question is this rainbow eucalyptus too close to the house I don't think it will hurt anything but I may be wrong I've had it almost 3 years come April 30th it will be 3 yrs I've had it. It's probably over 40ft tall decent size trunk im really gonna push its growth this year with lots of fertilizer and water I want it to be big. 

 

Edited March 23, 2022 by Plantking165

[Plantking165]

[Plantking165]

[Cindy Adair]

In PR this tree often drops limbs plus the trunk can break or the whole tree can fall over in hurricanes.
 

Not many really big ones left near me after hurricane María in 2017.

So here I would like to grow one or a little grove, but far from my car or house.

Yours is lovely though.

 

[WaianaeCrider]

About 16 years ago I planted a Lemon Gum.  It was quite small, I forget size.  It took about 15 years for it to grow straight as an arrow reaching for the sun, to get above the scrub trees around it.  Now it's beginning to produce a canopy and I can begin cutting back the scrubs.  Yea!   It has to be at least 20' tall and only about 8" diameter at the ground.

[junglegalfla]

They develop big above ground roots after a time that become a real tripping hazard. I had one years ago that started to lift up my metal shed. I promptly removed it. IMO, that is too close to your house. I'd worry about water and sewer line intrusion as well as the breaking limbs.  I understand the draw to these beautiful trees but they need more space than the average homeowner can provide. 

[Merlyn]

I looked into rainbow Eucalyptus a while back, and eventually decided that my lot wasn't large enough for one.  I used to have ~42 tall water oaks, all in the 60-80 foot range.  They dropped branches on a daily basis, some big enough to punch holes in the roof, dent my cars, etc.  I've read that rainbow Eucalyptus are much, much worse.  Various reports have them being toppled or splintering or losing large branches in 80-100mph winds.  It's considered a "low wind tolerance" tree and highly destructive due to its height.  I wouldn't plant one within "falling distance" of my house.

[kinzyjr]

On 4/19/2022 at 1:04 PM, Merlyn said:

I looked into rainbow Eucalyptus a while back, and eventually decided that my lot wasn't large enough for one.  I used to have ~42 tall water oaks, all in the 60-80 foot range.  They dropped branches on a daily basis, some big enough to punch holes in the roof, dent my cars, etc.  I've read that rainbow Eucalyptus are much, much worse.  Various reports have them being toppled or splintering or losing large branches in 80-100mph winds.  It's considered a "low wind tolerance" tree and highly destructive due to its height.  I wouldn't plant one within "falling distance" of my house.

My research on these ended up at the same conclusion as @Merlyn - the draw is there, but the drawbacks are there too.  After seeing the one at Sunken Gardens, I wondered if they would even grow here.  Apparently they can and they're fast growers at that.

Here is one on South Polk Ave. in Lakeland in November 2019:

And some recent photos of the same tree less than 3 years later:

[D Palm]

Eucalyptus is not a house or driveway friendly tree. I would remove before a problem occurs.

[Silas_Sancona]

For those who like the look of the bark, but want to avoid the catastrophe a giant, falling Euc. can present,  Might research the following:

Caesalpinia ferra

Caesalpinia paraguariensis

**Both were recently lumped into the Genus Libidibia **

Same smooth, and interesting colored bark pattern, but not nearly as tall..  Not sure how C. parauariensis will do there in FL. but is a pretty tough tree. Boyce Thompson has a specimen, and they occasionally see snow up there. Slow growing though.

Know C. ferra is grown in S. FL. ( Huge, old specimen at Fairchild?? ..i think? )  Grown in less frost free areas of CA. w/out issues, -as far as i have heard.

[ahosey01]

I tend to agree with the above folks that there is a limb drop hazard (or a whole-tree-blowing-over-hazard).

However, there are a couple things you can do to minimize that risk:

1.) Root barrier near your home.  This is a good website that makes a good product.  Rent a trencher for $300 locally and dig a 24"-36" trench between the tree and your home (closer to your home is better) and place this product in it: https://www.ndspro.com/products/root-barriers/ep-series-root-barriers.html

2.) Stop fertilizing.  Generally speaking, the faster that a tree grows - the weaker the wood.  If you can slow the growth down (it is Eucalyptus deglupta, so it will still be fast) then you can ensure a stronger tree.

3.) Use drippers and recede the distance from the trunk over time to train a spreading root structure.  Place two drippers at the drip line and run them on dry days.  Move or cut them further away from the trunk (about 6" or so) every couple months.  Eventually you should be able to encourage a spreading root structure to form a greater distance from the tree.  Even in Florida this should help you guide some of the tree roots into a more spreading habit then you would expect from a tree living solely on rainwater.  This will increase the stability of the tree and decrease the likelihood of wind throw.

If you're not interested in doing these three things (I have a Ceiba speciosa close to my house and am doing all of them) - then yeah, take the tree out.

Edited May 24, 2022 by ahosey01

[Silas_Sancona]

31 minutes ago, ahosey01 said:

I tend to agree with the above folks that there is a limb drop hazard (or a whole-tree-blowing-over-hazard).

However, there are a couple things you can do to minimize that risk:

1.) Root barrier near your home.  This is a good website that makes a good product.  Rent a trencher for $300 locally and dig a 24"-36" trench between the tree and your home (closer to your home is better) and place this product in it: https://www.ndspro.com/products/root-barriers/ep-series-root-barriers.html

2.) Stop fertilizing.  Generally speaking, the faster that a tree grows - the weaker the wood.  If you can slow the growth down (it is Eucalyptus deglupta, so it will still be fast) then you can ensure a stronger tree.

3.) Use drippers and recede the distance from the trunk over time to train a spreading root structure.  Place two drippers at the drip line and run them on dry days.  Move or cut them further away from the trunk (about 6" or so) every couple months.  Eventually you should be able to encourage a spreading root structure to form a greater distance from the tree.  Even in Florida this should help you guide some of the tree roots into a more spreading habit then you would expect from a tree living solely on rainwater.  This will increase the stability of the tree and decrease the likelihood of wind throw.

If you're not interested in doing these three things (I have a Ceiba speciosa close to my house and am doing all of them) - then yeah, take the tree out.

Lol,  Not with a lot of the big Eucalyptus..  Many, inc. rainbows have strong grained, but Brittle wood that is often low in shock resistance. Some have a tendency to form narrow branch crotches that further weaken the attached limb as well.  Many will randomly shed branches, no matter how they're maintained to reduce the risk..

No way drippers will put out the 25-50 gallons a day the big ones need to stay healthy..  Waste of water as well.

Root barriers won't stop monster Eucs.  Roots of an 80-150ft tall tree will blow right through them.   Anyone in California who has had to deal with massive Blue Gums can  explain what an absolute nightmare they can be, ..even if it is kind of neat walking among a grove of them.    Impressive trees,  ..but best grown in parks.  


Places like Florida that experience hurricanes frequently.. and have shallow, sandy soil that isn't the best foundation to anchor into = Eucalyptus aren't a smart shade tree option.  Most aren't grown much in California anymore either.

All that said, some Corymbia have stronger wood, and stay at an easier to deal with size.

 

[D Palm]

Live Oaks have a deeper complex root system and they still can uproot in a hurricane. I’ve never seen a Slash pine uproot (very deep tap root) but they will snap half way up the trunk creating a huge spear of death. During hurricane Matthew a slash pine sent it’s upper half 5 feet into the ground, felt like an earthquake.

Do not go near the majority of trees during hurricanes. Palms are OK, main reason why I enjoy them is there hurricane tolerance for the most part…newly planted queens are questionable.

S. Florida…Miami area…has escaped the wrath of hurricanes for a number of years now…only a matter of when.

[miamicuse]

4 hours ago, D Palm said:

S. Florida…Miami area…has escaped the wrath of hurricanes for a number of years now…only a matter of when.

Let's keep it that way!!!

[miamicuse]

I have two small rainbow eucalyptus, one is still in a pot and another went into the ground last year, about 30' from a house.

I read that it can grow up to 100 feet, but in a natural habitat.  I have seen three specimens of this locally here, at various nurseries.  They are about 20-25 feet tall, and have been in the ground 10+ years, I was told they do not get near as big in S Florida,  one nursery has two of these, planted may be less than 3' from the exterior walls, and the trunk diameter may be 16 to 18" now for close to 20 years.

I have seen their queen's crape myrtle and oak tumbled down during hurricane Wilma, but the rainbow eucalyptus had a few twigs dropped.  May be it was so close to the house the house shielded the wind.

[Looking Glass]

3 hours ago, miamicuse said:

I have two small rainbow eucalyptus, one is still in a pot and another went into the ground last year, about 30' from a house.

I read that it can grow up to 100 feet, but in a natural habitat.  I have seen three specimens of this locally here, at various nurseries.  They are about 20-25 feet tall, and have been in the ground 10+ years, I was told they do not get near as big in S Florida,  one nursery has two of these, planted may be less than 3' from the exterior walls, and the trunk diameter may be 16 to 18" now for close to 20 years.

I have seen their queen's crape myrtle and oak tumbled down during hurricane Wilma, but the rainbow eucalyptus had a few twigs dropped.  May be it was so close to the house the house shielded the wind.

If you are ever passing through Pompano Beach area, NuTurf is a nursery that has a big one in the ground.   It’s a cool looking tree, but never thought to photograph it.   The wind tolerance spooks me as far as planting one.  

The pics, I stole from the website. 

[RedRabbit]

23 hours ago, kinzyjr said:

My research on these ended up at the same conclusion as @Merlyn - the draw is there, but the drawbacks are there too.  After seeing the one at Sunken Gardens, I wondered if they would even grow here.  Apparently they can and they're fast growers at that.

Here is one on South Polk Ave. in Lakeland in November 2019:

And some recent photos of the same tree less than 3 years later:

Geez, that is fast! Thanks for sharing the one in Lakeland. We have one a few miles north of me in Odessa that seems to be doing well. I thought it was an anomaly, but the Lakeland one makes me question whether it really requires a tropical climate since we now have 2 examples of them doing well in z9. 

Edited May 25, 2022 by RedRabbit

[hbernstein]

I think that once they get really big, at least when growing on Miami's limestone, the species develops a bit more resistance to falling over, but not to losing it's top.!They do tend to regrow a new leader, though. 

Of course, all bets are off in tornadoes, microbursts, and category 3 and above storms. Remember, they're a forest species in habitat. Trees greatly benefit from the wind-blocking presence of other trees during storms.

[Alan_Tampa]

Just let it grow, man. Can't predict everything,  and will go insane trying to do so. 

 

Live as if you'll die tomorrow,  garden as if you'll live forever  

[bubba]

These seem to grow fast:

[bubba]

Another as thunderstorm approaches:

[Silas_Sancona]

On 5/27/2022 at 8:42 AM, Alan_Tampa said:

Just let it grow, man. Can't predict everything,  and will go insane trying to do so. 

 

Live as if you'll die tomorrow,  garden as if you'll live forever  

I'd love to be your insurance agent ..or any of your neighbor's.  100% Guaranteed $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ in my pocket. 

[Alan_Tampa]

Really? Is that how you think it works? 

[bubba]

Not certain I understand your random personal assaults…My suggestion would be to not respond and give the impression that you live in uncertainty rather than responding and removing all doubt. My humble apologies for all unknown grievances…

[kinzyjr]

On 5/24/2022 at 9:21 PM, RedRabbit said:

Geez, that is fast! Thanks for sharing the one in Lakeland. We have one a few miles north of me in Odessa that seems to be doing well. I thought it was an anomaly, but the Lakeland one makes me question whether it really requires a tropical climate since we now have 2 examples of them doing well in z9.

They used to have a really big one at Hollis Gardens until Jan. 2010 eliminated it.

[Missi]

I have a pretty big rainbow euc about 50 feet from the back of my house. Actually, it's probably 50 ft. tall atm. Hurricane Irma removed the top 3/4 of it in 2017, making it about 7 ft. tall. It has since grown 3 leaders from where it was halved and has shot from 7 ft. to 50 ft.! I am nervous about what will happen to it come the next hurricane, but I still enjoy it. It does drop thin "inner" branches quite often, and it's a pain to constantly pick them up, but they haven't been anything that my mower can't handle if I happen to run them over.

Below is what Hurricane Irma did to it. I don't have any current pics (I'll try to remember to take some and post here this week).

[kinzyjr]

When I first moved here, it would have been beyond imagination for Rainbow Eucalyptus to be promoted by the local newspaper.  How times change...

https://www.theledger.com/story/lifestyle/home-garden/2023/02/02/rainbow-eucalyptus-bark-constantly-changes-its-color/69862544007/

[kinzyjr]

Another growing near Lake Parker: