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Pruning ornamental eucalypts: Eucalyptus gunnii example

Early growth in ornamental eucalypts: Sculpting Eucalyptus gunnii

Gustavo Iglesias Trabado

GIT Forestry Consulting - Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal - www.git-forestry.com - EUCALYPTOLOGICS

We have put together some images of ornamental Eucalyptus growing in our own garden and some explanatory texts on horticultural recommendations at each stage of cultivation during their early years in order to control their growth and form. Just click the images to enlarge them and follow the links under each figure for full description of each stage.

STEP 1: Get a good quality ornamental Eucalyptus plant

Eucalyptus gunnii / Cider Gum / Cold Hardy Ornamental Eucalyptus for gardens in temperate climates / Eucalipto ornamental resistente a la helada para jardinería en climas templados / GIT Forestry Consulting, Galicia, España, Spain

Fig. 1: Standard potted ornamental eucalypt ready to be planted out

Read more on ornamental Eucalyptus in standard containers: add an Australian touch to your garden.

STEP 2: Plant your Eucalyptus and observe during the first year

Early growth in Eucalyptus gunnii / Cider Gum / Cold Hardy Ornamental Eucalyptus for gardens in temperate climates / Crecimiento temprano en eucalipto de la sidra / Eucalipto ornamental resistente a la helada para jardinería en climas templados / GIT Forestry Consulting, Galicia, España, Spain

Fig. 2: Early growth during the first year post-planting

Read more on early growth in garden Eucalyptus and how observing the progress of your tree will let you decide on when to start sculpting your big bonsai.

STEP 3: Keep your Eucalyptus bushy, size control via pollarding

Pruning, Pollarding & Clipping Eucalyptus gunnii / Cider Gum / Cold Hardy Ornamental Eucalyptus for gardens in temperate climates / Poda y talla de eucalipto gunnii / Eucalipto de la sidra / Eucalipto ornamental resistente a la helada para jardinería en climas templados / GIT Forestry Consulting, Galicia, España, Spain

Fig. 3: First winter growth and spring Eucalyptus pollarding

Read more on size control operations in garden Eucalyptus to restrict height growth and encourage lateral branching.

STEP 4: Make your Eucalyptus compact, branch division via pruning

Fig. 4: Second year early growth after size control operations (pruning & clipping)

Read more on risk minimisation when pruning garden Eucalyptus. Time well your maintenance operations!

STEP 5: Observe Eucalyptus branch length growth and keep sculpting

Fig. 5: Pollarded & pruned ornamental Eucalyptus 65 weeks after planting

Benefits of combining pollarding, pruning and clipping on young ornamental garden Eucalyptus

Size control achieved, important for gardens with limited space (tree size estabilised around 3 m)
Basal branches retained (not discarded by the tree after building up higher crown)
More compact form (noticeable length growth in basal branches)
Balanced aerial part/root system ratio (we minimise windhtrow damage risks)
Fresh Eucalyptus foliage harvest from pruning operations, useful for flower arrangements

Keep an eye on...

New branch architecture after pruning: Not all Eucalyptus trees managed this way develop several main branches after pollarding. The pictured one shows how one of the lateral branches took apical dominance. We obtained good branching in other specimens.

Leaning towards light: Development of new main branches can be achieved but they tend to grow towards the light. This is important if Eucalyptus are planted in partial shade. This effect can be somewhat controled using stakes and wire to train future main branches to the desired direction while they are yet flexible and not woody.

Time invested in maintenance during the first 65 weeks

- Planting: 1.5 hours
- Fertilising: 0.1 hours
- Pollarding: 0.1 hours
- Pruning: 0.1 hours
- Clipping: 1.5 hours
- Watering: 4.5 hours
Total: 8 hours

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GIT's Eucalyptology Topics

Eucalyptus flowers: E. macarthurii in bloom

Phenology of E. macarthurii in Galicia (Northwestern Spain)

Gustavo Iglesias Trabado

GIT Forestry Consulting - Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal - www.git-forestry.com - EUCALYPTOLOGICS

Eucalyptus macarthurii flower buds and blooms in Northwestern Spain /Camden Woollybutt flowers / Eucalipto lanudo de Camden en flor en el Galicia / Eucalipto de MacArthur florece en Galicia / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal

Blooming starts: August
Blooming ends: October
Nº simultaneous flower/fruit crops: up to 3
Seed maturity after flower bud formation: 18 to 30 months
Seed maturity after blooming: 12 to 18 months

The Eucalyptus of Sir William Macarthur can reach up to 40 meters height when grown at forestry plantings on good sites, or remain a shorter tree of wider crown and retaining basal branches when grown as isolated specimen (20-30 m).

Eucalyptus macarthurii specimen tree in Northwestern Spain /Camden Woollybutt flowers / Eucalipto lanudo de Camden en Galicia / Eucalipto de MacArthur florece en Galicia / GIT Forestry Consulting, Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal

Its quite good cold hardiness, resisting down to -10ºC and more than 80 frost events per year, and its average growth rates, made of it one of the alternative species in Northwestern Spain to E. globulus for inland areas or beyond 500 meters above sea level before the widespread planting of E. nitens.

Prolific in flowering, individual blooms are very small sized and difficult to notice. In clusters of seven, they become small white masses, same way as E. pauciflora. But these inflorescences are yet the size of a thumb. Which does not stop bees and other pollinators.

Studies conducted in the 1980's by Pezeshki and the University of Washington (USA) at Lee Experimental Forest proved its cold hardiness reaches its limits around -14ºC, but can coppice after that.

We include it in category ATL1 (absolute minima from -5ºC to 10ºC) for safe cultivation, but suitable seed provenances and origins could be tried with caution in the mildest part of ATL2 zone (absolute minima from -10ºC to -15ºC).

Interesting literature

Pezeshki, S R (1987) Survival and Early Growth of Alnus rubra, Eucalyptus macarthurii, E. viminalis, and Populus trichocarpa in the Pacific Northwest. Tree Planters' Notes 38:4

Also in this site

Eucalyptus flowers: E. globulus in bloom
Eucalyptus flowers: E. nitens in bloom
Eucalyptus flowers: E. pauciflora in bloom

Other GIT links

Eucalyptus macarthurii: Camden Woollybutt Highland Forests in Northwestern Spain
Eucalyptus macarthurii: An example of anatomic study to assist species identification
Eucalyptus seed collection: the importance of good timing

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GIT's Eucalyptology Topics

ORNAMENTAL EUCALYPTUS WORLDWIDE: BARK

Corymbia maculata: an example of ornamental bark in eucalypts

Sycamore Eucalypts: ornamental spotted patterns

Gustavo Iglesias Trabado

GIT Forestry Consulting - Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal - www.git-forestry.com - EUCALYPTOLOGICS

An interesting eucalypt species from both a timber production perspective but also an ornamental point of view, Corymbia maculata (known as Eucalyptus maculata from 1844 to 1995) sets its flower buds and later its seed capsules in panicles also known as corymbs. Individual flowers and capsules are normally grouped in 3's or 4's, but many times a pair of groups grow from the same point of the branchlet, giving appeareance of groups of 7's. Globose and urn shaped capsules of medium size normally develop in dense clusters where previously medium sized white flowers attract nectar browsing fauna that involuntarily cooperate with this eucalypt for pollination.

Corymbia maculata seed capsules / Eucalyptus maculata infrutescences / Spotted gum fruits / Eucalipto de Corteza de Arce, frutos / GIT Forestry Consulting, Galicia, Spain, España

Urceolate and globose infrutescences of Corymbia maculata (ex Eucalyptus maculata)

The spotted gum receives its name for a relatively unusual bark type within eucalypts. "Maculata" literally means "spotted", and that is the appeareance of mature bark, showing patches of grey, brown, white and yellow that give it a ressemblance to a totally different tree, Acer pseudoplatanus, the Sycamore Maple.

Corymbia maculata spotted mature bark / Eucalyptus maculata spotted mature bark / Spotted gum mature bark / Eucalipto de Corteza de Arce, corteza adulta / GIT Forestry Consulting, Galicia, Spain, España

Smooth, patchy, multicoloured mature bark of Corymbia maculata (ex Eucalyptus maculata)

Corymbia maculata juvenile bark / Eucalyptus maculata juvenile bark / Spotted gum bark / Eucalipto de Corteza de Arce, corteza juvenil / GIT Forestry Consulting, Galicia, Spain, España

Fibrous reddish juvenile bark of Corymbia maculata (ex Eucalyptus maculata) shedding to reveal the first patches of grey and brown underneath.

Its diverse natural habitat spreading from Eastern Victoria along New South Wales to Southern Queensland suggests variation for parameters like cold hardiness, and its altitudinal distribution from sea level to 1000 m. elevation can contribute to this thought. But it is mostly a coastal species with a relatively low tolerance to frost, so care must be put in tracing seed back to the parent trees if trying to grow it in borderline areas.

Corymbia maculata juvenile leaves / Eucalyptus maculata juvenile leaves / Spotted gum juvenile leaves / Eucalipto de Corteza de Arce, hoja juvenil / GIT Forestry Consulting, Galicia, Spain, España

Broad lanceolate ruffled and hairy underneath juvenile leaves of Corymbia maculata (ex Eucalyptus maculata) on a two year old coppiced specimen

A vigorous and big sized tree, its best ornamental feature, bark, can be displayed at its best when planted in alleys, making sure there is room enough for symmetric crowns to develop. Individual specimens are better planted in ample gardens in order to achieve full crowns.

We include it in category EUCF (absolute minima from 0ºC to -5ºC) for safe cultivation, but suitable seed provenances from mid to high elevations in the inland ranges of Victoria or Southern NSW could show a bit higher tolerance to cold, so it could be tried with caution in the mildest part of ATL1 zone (absolute minima from -5ºC to -10ºC). In our experience it can survive temperatures as low as -7ºC, but losing its yearly growth to later resprout from lignotuber, so not easily achieving tree size. A very high amount of plant losses happens when temperatures approach -10ºC. Safe zone is then around -5ºC.

In Galicia (Northwestern Spain) it is cultivated infrequently, wich is a shame, and best specimens are always present in coastal areas corresponding to USDA Zone 9.

Interesting literature

Larmour J S, Whitfeld S J, Harwood C E, Owen J V (2000). Variation in frost tolerance and seedling morphology of the spotted gums Corymbia maculata, C. variegata, C. henryi and C. citriodora. Australian Journal of Botany 48, 445–453.

Hill, K D, Johnson, L A S (1995). Systematic studies in the eucalypts 7. A revision of the bloodwoods, genus Corymbia (Myrtaceae). Telopea 6:185–504

You can also see

GIT's Eucalyptology Topics

Eucalyptus and soil depletion: quite a bit of a myth

Proper Eucalyptus crop management = Proper soil management

Gustavo Iglesias Trabado

GIT Forestry Consulting - Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal - www.git-forestry.com - EUCALYPTOLOGICS

One of the factors that have been used and abused for the demonisation of Eucalyptus trees is "their ability to deplete soils, so nothing can grow where eucalypts once grew". A myth very in the same line of the "nothing grows under gum trees" one. Pretty surely those propagating these ideas and those giving credit to the previous have never been to the natural habitat of these trees in Australia, whose rich agricultural and livestock production happens each day mainly on previously cleared land once covered with eucalypt forests. And quite possibly myth believers have never been into an eucalypt plantation either.

What is sure is that Eucalyptus can perfectly be grown under sustainable forestry principles, and that knowing your soils and your plants before taking opinion is very important. Soil management under sustainability philosophies relies basically on the simple principle of "what you get out of it should come back". Return nutrients that you extract, or at least try to minimise nutrient losses. Keep the balance. Think long term too.

Eucalyptus nitens early growth post harvest in Galicia, Northwestern Spain / Crecimiento temprano tras cosecha en plantación de Eucalipto nitens, Galicia, España / GIT Forestry Consulting. Consultoría y Servicios de Ingeniería Agroforestal

Here you have an example. Water, light and soil nutrients transformed into timber grown in short rotations. Timber extraction, but return of nutrients stored in bark, leaves and branches to the soil. Appropriate fertilisation to cover the minimum losses caused by water, cellulose and lignin storage in timber and to aid a next generation of trees to establish well. Et voilà! Healthy soil, and more fast growing timber.

Generalizing on the interaction of plant crops and soil is never wise. There are many types of soil, and many types of plants. Generalizing on the interaction of Eucalyptus and soils keeps being temerary, since there are several hundred species of the former and many dozen common types of the later. Generalizing on the interaction of a forestry production scheme with soil or other pieces of the ecosystem in which it is established is the equivalent of gossip.

The first persons interested in sustainability of tree farms (be them Eucalyptus based or not) by the implementation of good management practices are investors in such ventures, foresters in care of them and forestry engineers designing them. All in all, we have been following the same philosophy for some two hundred years of forestry science. And we may mistake, but surely learn from it. Some myth propagators apparently don't.

So, if earlier we took a trip from "nothing grows under eucalypts" to "nothing would grow without eucalypts", now we have taken one from "nothing grows where eucalypts once grew" to "crops keep growing where eucalypts once grew". Ironies of tree mythology.

GIT's Eucalyptology Topics

Ornamental Eucalyptus in standard containers: add an Australian touch to your garden

Here you have other three examples of cold hardy ornamental Eucalyptus. These gum trees are not, as we saw in a previous entry, destined to become specimen plants in big containers. These are for direct planting into convenient garden designs in USDA Zone 8. Some of these species would tolerate appropriate microclimates of USDA Zone 7 gardens too.

Cold Hardy Ornamental Eucalyptus for gardens in temperate climates / Eucalipto ornamental resistente a la helada para jardinería en climas templados / GIT Forestry Consulting, Galicia, España, Spain

(click image to enlarge)
Cold tolerance: -8ºC to -12ºC
More information?

(click image to enlarge)
Cold tolerance: -3ºC to -8ºC
More information?

(click image to enlarge)
Cold tolerance: -15ºC to -20ºC
More information?

Some types of Eucalypts can reach noticeable sizes in few years if planted out and not subject to size control by the adecuate interventions of pruning and/or pollarding, so our recommended post-planting management is highly dependant on your garden size, available free space and desired plant shape to match the desired combination with other plants or elements of your garden design.

Please remember these operations do require some caution to avoid undesired effects.

Forget about "just some type of timber trees" and remember Eucalyptus can be one of the most rewarding ornamentals worldwide!

Contact GIT Forestry Consulting - Eucalyptologics

GIT's Eucalyptology Topics

Ornamental Eucalyptus in Big Containers: Tamed Giants

We have seen that certain Eucalyptus species can easily reach giant sizes in relatively short periods of time. With such a biodiversity within this plant genus (hundreds of species, subspecies, varieties and cultivars) giantism is luckily not always present for all types of gum trees. But a good deal of eucalypt knowledge worldwide has to do with their applications for timber production, and in such cases fast growth, good form and suitability to resist frost events by winter are some of the initial important considerations. However, for the urban gardener, especially if with limited space, alternative options need of some consideration.

(click image to enlarge)
Frost tolerance: -15ºC to -20ºC
More information?

Here you have four examples of tamed cold hardy ornamental Eucalyptus achieving their final destination as plants in big containers, whose frost tolerance makes them suitable for cultivation outdoors in USDA Zone 8 gardens and favourable microclimates of USDA Zone 7 gardens. Some of these can reach giant sizes if planted out and not subject to size control, but can also be kept as container plants with a shrubby habit.

(click image to enlarge)
Frost tolerance: -12ºC to -17ºC
More information?

(click image to enlarge)
Frost tolerance: -12ºC to -15ºC
More information?

(click image to enlarge)
Cold tolerance: -8ºC to -12ºC
More information?

These relatively manageable sizes and shapes need frequent maintenance, especially during the peaks of growth season. Pruning operations must be performed in order not to lose the desired shapes because generally these plants have a strong tendence to develop new leader branches and grow fast to capture more light.

Ocasional training can be necessary, for which some of the bonsai techniques can be applied, just keeping in mind that growth rates (both branch length and calliper) are still very fast compared to other tree species.

Versatile plants, Eucalyptus can be grown in many ways. If you want to add a piece of Australia to your timber planting, big yard, small yard... or no yard... you can!

Contact GIT Forestry Consulting - Eucalyptologics

GIT's Eucalyptology Topics