Advice on this

[bazoo132]

Hi guys I got a call from a client asking me about doing some pruning to a Eucalyptus. I got there and was told the local authority has asked them to cut it back as it was blocking a street light. So looking for advice as I've not done any pruning to eucalyptus before. The clients are wanting it all cut down below the lighting column but it will look terrible. I've added some pics but can get more if required. It's not the greatest tree and I suggested removal and planting something more suitable for the location but they want to keep it. Thanks in advance Barry

[Logrod]

I can't be any help on how to prune a Eucalyptus but it doesn't look as if it's a standard street situation. It's not easy to be sure from your pictures but it looks as if a) the lighting is in someone's garden rather than on the "street" and b) that if the brick paved area is "the street" I'd be surprised if that came under local authority control as it doesn't look like an adopted road - perhaps closer to a shared driveway. I'd have thought that there was as much reason to ask the LA to move the light.

[bazoo132]

I looked into it. There was an agreement between the developer and the Local authority for the LA to adopt. If the client doesn't get it done the LA is going to do it and contra - charge the client. Unfortunately the lighting column is in their neighbours garden. Confused? I am.

[daltontrees]

Eucalyptus is very sensitive to harsh pruning in winter in the west of Scotland. Is the tree near Muirhead (your location)?

 

By the way, if you're not the Council Roads Dept., spending time pondering the ins and outs of whether you can take your would-be customers' word for it that it's an adopted road and that they have to cut the tree back form the light seems to me a bit of a waste of time.

[bazoo132]

I live in the same development in Muirhead so I know the ins and outs. I also have a few contacts in the LA so asked them to check the adoption stance. Not quite sure what you mean Daltontrees sorry.

[daltontrees]

I just meant are you looking for advice on pruning or whether to get involved in the job.

[bazoo132]

Sorry looking for advice on the pruning. Bit slow on the uptake. 😉

[elder]

I have pruned back eucalyptus and find it responds very well to it as regrowth is remarkable in quantity and vigour. I live down by Errol so not far from you. Not had a problem with frost damage on eucalyptus and would think shouldn't be a problem though you are in the snow zone compared to us down on the Carse.

[Starscream]

Eucalyptus responds well to a hard cut, with the juvenile foliage being quite nice as it's different from the usual leaf. Just reduce it as best as poss and move on to the next one

[Mick Dempsey]

You can hammer them and they come back really strongly. They are susceptible to long periods of sub zero weather. Even here every few years there's a very cold winter and I'll be taking out dead ones a year later, reduced or not.