Eucalyptus: A Tree That's Messy, Hard to Get Rid Of, and Flammable
This eucalyptus was imported from Australia in the 19th century, with the hope that it would provide lumber for the West. But wood from the tree turned out to be terrible lumber - very dense, hard to cut, and with a tendency to twist.
However, once eucalyptus got here, it liked California very much, since its home country has a similar climate. The tree has been growing and spreading rapidly ever since.
Eucalyptus is problematic for a number of reasons. First, it is very tall, with relatively shallow roots. When the soil is wet and windy conditions arise, the trees tend to fall over easily. Large branches are prone to falling off as well. It's a hazard to people, cars, roads and buildings. You don't want this tree planted anywhere near a dwelling.
Eucalyptus wood is full of a natural aromatic oil which gives it its characteristic scent. This oil happens to make it quite flammable. When there are wildfires in California, as there often are, eucalyptus trees literally burst when on fire, shooting flaming debris over a wide area. In fact, exploding eucalyptus are blamed for the spread of the horrendous Oakland Hills fires in 1991.
On a lesser note, the bark and seeds of this tree are particularly messy, and fall constantly. The roundish seeds, about the size of a large marble, are easy to slip on. It's like trying to walk on ball bearings.
The fragrant oil of the tree makes it very pest-resistant. Therefore, nothing around here will eat it to keep it in check. Eucalyptus groves grow so thickly that they crowd out native plants, and therefore native animals, too.
Another big problem with eucalyptus is that once it's established, it's incredibly difficult to get rid of. Two friends of mine are currently struggling to get rid of a eucalyptus stand in their back yard. They cut down many of the trees, leaving huge stumps. Now the stumps are sprouting anew. The stumps are so immense - probably about 15 to 20 feet around - that it's difficult to pull them out without spending thousands of dollars. My friends are continuing to manage the situation by spraying herbicide on the new shoots so that the trees don't grow back.
So what can the ordinary person do about eucalyptus? First of all, hopefully no one out there is planting this tree deliberately. If you do have it on your property, it's wise to consider trying to get rid of it, or at least control it as much as possible by cutting it back.
More information is available online on managing blue gum eucalyptus. The Nature Conservancy has a good sheet on the topic (http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/euca_spp.html).
Published by Kathryn (Kathy) McKenzie Nichols
California journalist Kathryn McKenzie Nichols has been writing for newspapers and magazines for more than 30 years, and is the author of two books. Her weekly column and gardening articles for the Monterey... View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentThe trees can be dealt with but it requires special knowledge and tools.
The stumps in your friends back yard can be cut fresh and painted with Garlon. The folks at UC Berkeley have been addressing their stands of euc and have perfected this method. Many pest control companies will also do tree spraying or can paint stumps with Garlon for you.
If you want to get rid of the stumps they can call a Brush Bandit or Vermeer equipment dealer to rent a large automated stump grinder. Most tree services have smaller equipment but the dealerships can get the big toys for a reasonable day or weekly rate.
If you don't address the stumps and root system you might as well not cut the trees at all. They were established for firewood lots BECAUSE of the vigorous stump sprouting. They will grow 10-15' a year until they hit 80+ feet when regenerating from stumps on a good site.
Matt Banchero Tree Service Owner, Sonoma County
We live in a mobile home park in Southern California and have a giant eucalyptus tree directly behind our home. The owners refuse to remove it because it's over 130 years old and the great-great grandfather planted the tree. Numerous very large branches reach over our house and fall on a regular basis. We sleep directly under these branches. The park does pay for any damage done by the falling branches but will they be able to pay when a person get hurt or dies? Yes, I agree this tree is evil and yours is the only article I've found that doesn't glorify this tree.
Please read Peter Hoff's excellent book "Seven Fires: The Urban Infernos That Reshaped America." It includes eyewitness accounts of the Oakland Hills fire of 1991 where firefighters viewed exploding eucalyptus trees. I just re-read page 283 where a firefighter says, "trees were blowing up" and scattering baseball-size embers on rooftops.
Eucalyptus trees hand nothing to do with the fire.
Exploding Eucalyptus trees is a myth.
Where are the edploded eucalytus trees in this picture from the 2003 Scripts Ranch Fire?
http://graphics7.nytimes.com/images/2003/10/27/national/28fire.l.jpg
FEMA did a complete investigation of the fire. They did not find that eucalyptus trees caused the fire.
< http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/tr-060.pdf> ref. PDF page Sec2:2
Risk Factors
Extreme fire risk created by five year drought, low humidity, and Diablo winds; highly combustible natural fuels, inadequate separation between natural fuels and structures; unregulated use of wood shingles as roof and siding material; steep terrain, homes overhanging hillsides, narrow roads, limited access, limited water supply.
Mitigation Efforts
Previous fire experience identified hazards. Risk reduction measures had been studied and recommended for several years, but not implemented.
Cause
Strong winds caused rek
Actually, the seed is very tiny. The seed itself is no bigger than a rice grain. What you call "marbles" are actually the seed pods which contain the individual seeds all together.
what is the best and safest poison for the pesty eucalyptus
Help!
I have another problem. My tree seems to be dead/dieing. It already had a big trunk break off and fall...nearly hitting my home. Should I have it cut down or what? It is 1 foot from my deck and 4 feet from my house AND 45 feet tall!!!!
If you poison the stumps properly, they won't grow back. There are smaller species of eucalypt that are more suitable to backyards than say Tasmanian Blue Gums. There are certainly good aspects of this plant though as with anything, take it out of its native environment and it may become a pest.