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Eucalyptus trees are known for their large stature. Unfortunately, this can make them hazards in the home landscape, especially in wind-prone areas. Keep reading for more information and tips on preventing eucalyptus tree wind damage.
Eucalyptus trees are a common sight across many parts of California, known for their towering height and peeling bark. But these non-native Australian imports also have a reputation for toppling over easily, especially during major storms. So what is it about eucalyptus that makes them prone to falling, and is their storm vulnerability deserved?
Why Eucalyptus Trees Are More Likely To Fall
There are a few key reasons why eucalyptus trees are more likely to fail compared to other landscape trees:
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Fast growth rate – Eucalyptus trees grow very quickly, adding long spans of vertical trunk each year. This fast growth results in weaker wood that is more prone to breaking.
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Brittle wood – The wood fibers in eucalyptus are brittle and shred easier than other trees under high winds or a heavy branch burden.
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Shallow roots – These trees tend to have sparse, shallow root systems given their height. This provides poor anchoring when strong storm winds blow.
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Top-heaviness – Eucalyptus branches only grow at the top of the trunk creating dense crowns that act as a sail in windstorms.
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Lack of taper – Younger eucalyptus lack a strong taper from trunk to top, putting more stress on the lower portion of stem
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Wet ground – Saturated soils easily undermine the stability of shallow eucalyptus roots.
While other tall trees can topple under intense storms as well these inherent physical traits make eucalyptus uniquely vulnerable to falling compared to native tree species.
Examples of Eucalyptus Failures in Storms
There are plenty of real-world examples that demonstrate the storm vulnerability of eucalyptus trees:
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In February 2011, strong Santa Ana winds knocked over three eucalyptus trees in San Diego’s Balboa Park. Another tree fell onto a freeway connector ramp during the same winds.
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During a storm in Northern California in March 2016, a 100-foot-tall eucalyptus tree crashed onto a house, causing significant damage.
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In January 2017, heavy rains and wind toppled giant eucalyptus trees across the San Francisco Bay Area. Falling trees crushed cars, blocked roads, and took down power lines.
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A 2018 study examined over 500 eucalyptus tree failures in the Bay Area during storms. It found that precipitation and wind speeds were the most significant factors causing trees to fall.
These incidents highlight that eucalyptus are in fact more prone to toppling compared to other trees, especially when intense storms bring heavy rain and strong gusts of wind. Their shallow roots and top-heavy crowns make them vulnerable.
Mitigating Risks When Planting Eucalyptus
The question of whether to plant eucalyptus ultimately comes down to location and risk assessment. Careful siting can mitigate their potential to damage property or harm the public when they fail.
Here are some important factors to consider if planting eucalyptus:
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Avoid planting close to homes, power lines, roads, sidewalks, or other structures. Allow ample distance between the trees and anything they could damage in falling.
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Do not rely on eucalyptus as street trees in urban areas or other high traffic zones. Opt for sturdier, slower-growing options.
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Select smaller maturing eucalyptus species and cultivars where available. Many eucalyptus trees get extremely massive.
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Maintain eucalyptus through regular pruning for structure and lower height.
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Remove lower branches as the trees grow to reduce wind resistance.
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Monitor eucalyptus closely after major storms for signs of instability, and remove any that appear compromised.
While eucalyptus trees add aesthetic value in the right setting, care should be taken to match the species with the site to prevent future safety issues. Their signature lean and lofty canopies come at the cost of structural integrity compared to many other landscape trees.
Caring for Eucalyptus to Improve Stability
Proper maintenance is key to ensuring eucalyptus trees stand up to storms. Here are some tips:
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Have a certified arborist conduct a risk assessment to identify potential hazards.
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Selectively thin branches and foliage to reduce wind resistance while maintaining form.
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Prune judiciously in summer to avoid promoting excessive new growth.
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Mulch around the root zone but avoid piling mulch against the trunk.
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Stake young trees to build taper and strengthen stems as they establish.
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Clean up fallen branches and debris, which attract pests and disease.
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Maintain vigor through appropriate watering, fertilization, and pest management.
While eucalyptus will always be more vulnerable than other landscape trees, mitigating their inherent risks through location selection and attentive care can allow you to safely enjoy their distinctive charm.
Key Takeaways on Eucalyptus Storm Vulnerability
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Eucalyptus trees are prone to toppling due to fast growth, brittle wood, shallow roots, and top-heavy crowns.
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Major storms with heavy rain and strong winds routinely knock over these non-native trees.
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Careful planting locations and preventative care is required to reduce risks of eucalyptus failures near people or property.
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While they add aesthetic appeal, eucalyptus structural flaws make them less ideal than native trees for urban plantings.
Understanding why eucalyptus are vulnerable to storms can guide smarter planting decisions. With careful siting and attentive maintenance, their iconic beauty can be safely enjoyed without putting people or property in harm’s way when the winds begin to blow.
Eucalyptus Trees and Wind
Did you know that there are over 700 species of eucalyptus? Most of them hail from Australia. Eucalyptus trees, in their native habitat, are used to non-nutritious soils. They also have to withstand a lot of leaf-munching predators like koala bears. These conditions help keep their size in check. Eucs, as they are sometimes called, have to grow quickly – in order to beat the competition.
Eucalyptus trees have far fewer predators and are often installed in much richer soils when they are grown in North American and European parks and gardens. In these conditions, they don’t have to dig deep to find nutrients. These evergreen transplants grow shallow roots and are generally unchecked by pests or competition.
Growing eucalyptus in wind prone areas can be dangerous. Eucalyptus hazards include branch breakage, limb drop and complete tree failure at the base of the root plate – which is called wind throw. Most eucalyptus trees and windy conditions don’t go well together.
Preventing/Treating Eucalyptus Tree Wind Damage
The best way to prevent eucalyptus tree wind damage is to choose wind tolerant eucalyptus species which are shorter and have smaller, lower canopies that are less susceptible to breezes. A few of these wind tolerant eucalyptus trees include:
- E. apiculate
- E. approximans
- E. coccifera
While your eucalyptus tree is becoming established, prevent all soil and moisture competition by removing weeds. This way it can develop a stronger root system.
It is important to regularly prune your eucalyptus in wind prone areas. Prune in fall before there is risk of frost. Create a good structure. Remove top heavy branches. Some people like to coppice their eucalyptus by cutting them to about 18” (46 cm.) tall every year. This is best for multi-trunk trees that you want to keep in shrub form. Keep the tree thinned out of excess foliage as it matures. This will allow more wind to pass through the canopy without causing damage.
Arborist explains why wind topples eucalyptus trees
FAQ
Do eucalyptus trees fall over easily?
Popular lore holds that eucalyptus trees, which are not native to California, are especially prone to toppling. But experts say that many types of trees — not just eucalyptus — are vulnerable in wet and windy conditions, especially when the trees are stressed.
How sturdy are eucalyptus trees?
“Eucalyptus has a really dense, heavy wood. So you end up with a lot of weight up above the ground,” said Lloyd Snapp, who works at an Escondido tree nursery. “It can make it a little bit trickier for the roots to counterbalance that or hold that up when you get a lot of resistance from the wind.”
What are the disadvantages of the eucalyptus tree?
Environmental groups are concerned about the negative effects of Eucalyptus trees on the environment. These difficulties include high transpiration rates, declining soil fertility, incompatibility with the preservation of biodiversity, and allopathic impacts of Eucalyptus spp.
What trees are most likely to fall?
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Clean Cuts Treeshttps://cleancutstrees.com5 Trees Most Likely to Fall Due to Strong Winds and Storms
Do eucalyptus trees fall?
The tree may also suffer eucalyptus branch drop. Rot diseases in the tree occur when the Phytophthora fungi infects the roots or crowns of the tree. You may be able to see a vertical streak or canker on infected eucalyptus trunks and a discoloration beneath the bark before you see falling eucalyptus branches.
Are eucalyptus trees dangerous?
Eucalyptus trees can be dangerous particularly in windy conditions. If the winds are strong enough, they can easily topple the trees onto houses, cars, and those unfortunate enough to be in the way. It’s not unusual to hear of downed trees after big storms or during Santa Ana wind conditions in places like Southern California.
Why is my eucalyptus tree dying?
If dark sap oozes from the bark, your tree likely has a rot disease. As a result, branches die back and may fall from the tree. If branch drop in eucalyptus signals a rot disease, the best defense is planting or transplanting the trees in well-drained soil. Removing infected or dying branches may slow the spread of the disease.
Do eucalyptus trees have rot?
If branch drop in eucalyptus signals a rot disease, the best defense is planting or transplanting the trees in well-drained soil. Removing infected or dying branches may slow the spread of the disease. Falling eucalyptus branches do not necessarily mean that your trees have a rot disease, or any disease for that matter.
Do eucalyptus trees need pruning?
In wind prone areas, it is important to regularly prune eucalyptus trees. Pruning should be done in fall before there is risk of frost. This helps to create a good structure and remove top heavy branches. While eucalyptus is becoming established, prevent soil and moisture competition by removing weeds to help it develop a stronger root system.
Are eucalyptus trees hardy?
Eucalyptus hardiness makes this tree very desirable for exotic gardeners in different types of climates. Besides cold hardiness, these trees have many other advantages: they help to control aphids and other insects, most of them will grow rapidly even in poor soil (as fast as 12 ft per year), and they are very attractive.