I would never again consider planting one of the large-growing eucalypts in a city yard, and will discourage anyone else from doing so, if possible. I don't think citriodora likes our climate very well, anyway. Eucs are great in that they are fast growers, but their roots are greedy and they heave the ground higher and higher. They are messy and sometimes dangerous. I admit I like the look of them but think they are a very poor choice for urban planting.

Judy,I know exactally what you're talking about-many older houses in Phoenix were planted with Eucalyptus that were way too big and agressive for small yards. The tree I'm talking about is not supposed to have agressive roots or drop huge limbs like other big Eucs. In fact I think I saw this variety planted in a row beside the pool. If this tree had the same traits as other big Eucs I don't think they would have planted it where they did. If you are familiar with the Paradise Pool (the newer one with the big water slide) they have this variety of Euc planted between the cabanas. But like you said, Eucs have their place. Years ago the road between Malibu and Santa Barbara was lined with gigantic Eucs-we called them blue gums. Were they messy? Like no other tree I've ever seen!!! You'd have to be careful not to drive over some of the huge limbs that would fall from the trees into the roadway. Messy as they were they are the traidmark of Coastal California and I can't imagine California without them. Unless I had a huge ranch I would never consider putting one on my property, but there are so many other Euc varieties that do great here and are the perfect size for an average sized yard. The nice thing about the Citriodora is that it brances up high-like 30 feet so you get the vertical look you want without it taking up much space on the ground. If this tree doesn't work I'm also considering the white ghost Euc which people say does really, really well here too.

I remember sitting in Balboa Park in San Diego, enjoying the look of the Euc grove...and listening to the crash of branches falling from waaaay up there.

My neighbors have a silvery euc, not sure what it is, that seems a little less invasive than some and very pretty. As you say, there are some really nice smaller ones that would suit a yard planting. Oh how I wish the big beautiful ones in my yard were in a grove in San Diego.

You and me, too, Judy. I still have not decided what to do with these trees. I don't think nurseries should offer trees like these in dense urban areas without honestly informing people what problems they pose.

Most the Eucs I'm familiar with are very, very, very messy too. I can't imagine having one by a pool, with the mess they make from peeling bark and leaves. They have several varieties in our neighborhood and the park across the street. I am forever cleaning up the mess that is blown into my yard from the Eucs in the park, and in the neighbors yard. I'm not sure if the Eucs in the park are Eucalyptus citriodora, or not. They have the same kind of leaves as the dozen or so in the park.

Easy

While some species of Eucalytpus grow large and have the reputation for dropping branches, many newer varieties don't. There are a number of smaller trees that make perfect addtitions to our xeric landscapes. Mountain States Wholesale Nursery grows a dozen or more and has descriptions and characteristics in the article at the link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Eucalyptus in the Desert

The big, white "Ghost gums" are what I think is the Eucalyptus papuana. The AZDOT had planted them right after the interchange of I-10 & 17 (is that what they call the stack?), just north on 17. The other place I have seen them is Rose Mofford sports park, on 25th Ave between Dunlap and Peoria. I think they shed some, but no where near the old E. rostratas that are all over the place with bark, seeds and leaves that nothing seems to grow through. The E. papuanas I've seen are all pretty mature looking, very tall and very graceful. The Aussie guy at the DBG had them last year, said they grow fairly quickly. I've considered them for the back of my lot, to replace my *#(*@ pecans before they drop a branch on my sister's skylights.

HTH

Hi AZamigo

I have about 4 E. citriodora on my lot (I have 2 acres) I like them alot, little to none limb brakage... the roots are not agressive and easy to plant other plants around them... they do have peeling bark... they are fast growing, and give light shade....they are frost tender when young, but as they age they are ok...

They grow quite tall and can overpower a small city lot..one my 2 acres they look great...the Ghost gum is better for smaller city lots....

Chris, thanks for your help. Just a couple questions...when you say fast growing, how fast-how many feel/year? Also, I have read it is frost tender, but did you have any problems with your trees when we had those really cold nights a couple years ago right after Christmas? I was at Bakers today and they had a few 5 gallon trees that looked pretty good other than a few burned up leaves which was probably due to not watering them enough. Trees in 5 gallon pots would be tough to keep moist during the summer I guess.

Fast, well when young and well watered it can grow 3 to 6 feet a year...my trees from 5 gal size were 30 feet tall in 5 to 6 years.. Cold well young trees can be cut back at temperatures below 26F my older trees have taken low 20's with only some leaf loss... many years ago I got as cold as the teens and the trees made it through...they like water but only if you have fast draining soil..but they are also very drought tolerant when older....they do best in sandy soil and not so well in heavy clay soils....if your soil is clay water less but deeply....

get one and Good luck....

here is a good page they proved all the euc tress for adot and the got a place in tonopah with all differen euc. and australian plants they been here for over 30 years 623 393-0767

Here is a link that might be useful: Australian outback plants