I want to know if my eucalyptus tree still alive?

Chiu Mei
by Chiu Mei
hi everyone, we have an eucalyptus tree in our back yard before we move in afew years age, and we love it! But this spring my husband trimmed the tree back, and it never look the same after that? did he some how killed the tree by trimming it back? we only get new leaves on the buttom of the tree, noting on top of the tree; ps he also used roundup in the yard not on the tree,which I hate, any tips, or help will be appreciate, thank you
  5 answers
  • Adrianne C Adrianne C on Aug 18, 2014
    It's still got leaves, you may have to just wait and see. It may surprise you!
  • Teresa Watkins Teresa Watkins on Aug 18, 2014
    Chiu, It looks like it's still alive but it's struggling. The branches that have no leaves, scrape the bark with a pen knife, if below the bark is still green, then it's still alive. If you scrape and find it brown, then that portion of the tree is dead. Cut back dead limbs. The tree looks like it could come back if you remove the dead portions. My other concern is that your husband sprays Round-up. Even if you don't spray the leaves directly, if there is enough wind spray or your husband is soaking the area around trees, the roots can absorb the Round-up and you can kill trees. See if any of the new leaves sprout with witches's broom. Witches Broom is a symptom of using Roundup too much.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Aug 18, 2014
    I would definitely do the test Teresa suggests. I cannot image a eucalyptus being anything other than marginally hardy in Raleigh, and last year was a very tough winter in much of the country, so I suspect you are just seeing a lot of dieback, not the result of your husband's pruning.
  • Chiu Mei Chiu Mei on Aug 18, 2014
    thanks everyone, I will do the test and let you know if it's alive or not.
  • Ellen Ef Ellen Ef on Aug 19, 2014
    One doesn't trim eucalyptus!