Reviving a eucalyptus tree after ice storm - Ask Extension
My beautiful Eucalyptus tree, at least 20 ft tall, bent over to the ground with the weight of the ice. I had to remove one of the 3 main branches due...
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Reviving a eucalyptus tree after ice storm #876244
Asked July 07, 2024, 8:55 PM EDT
My beautiful Eucalyptus tree, at least 20 ft tall, bent over to the ground with the weight of the ice. I had to remove one of the 3 main branches due to damage. While the foliage looks dead, I saw green when I scraped another branch. Now there are new shoots coming from the base of the tree. None are showing further up.
Is there hope in reshaping this tree to its original single trunk glory or will it recover as a shrub?
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
You did not include a picture. If the upper part when scraped shows green, it may be okay eventually, but if not then that part of the plant is dead. I am including the answer from another expert which is very good.
"If your tree survived, the branches would be flexible and pliable, they would also show green inside if you break a branch and also under the bark of the branches. If the branches are stiff/brittle and break easily the branch is dead.
If you cut the trunk off, future growth would be multi-stemmed, it would have a bush-like appearance and would require yearly pruning to shape into a tree. Depending on what trees you planted that might be a decision factor.
I would suggest to check on the branches and see what you find. If there is green under the bark you could give it some time and evaluate by the end of the month. If the tree is not alive you need to evaluate if the selected site is right for the size of the full grown tree with multiple stems in a few years."
"If your tree survived, the branches would be flexible and pliable, they would also show green inside if you break a branch and also under the bark of the branches. If the branches are stiff/brittle and break easily the branch is dead.
If you cut the trunk off, future growth would be multi-stemmed, it would have a bush-like appearance and would require yearly pruning to shape into a tree. Depending on what trees you planted that might be a decision factor.
I would suggest to check on the branches and see what you find. If there is green under the bark you could give it some time and evaluate by the end of the month. If the tree is not alive you need to evaluate if the selected site is right for the size of the full grown tree with multiple stems in a few years."
Thank you. Dry much for this information. I now have a path forward to figure this out.
Kristi<personal data hidden>
You are welcome.
