Can I transplant a 10-foot-tall eucalyptus?

July 16, 2008 2:36 AM

Is it possible to transplant a 2-year-old, 10-foot-tall eucalyptus?

I'd prefer not to just cut it down but sources on the internet seem to say it's not possible to transplant it. Anyone have any positive experiences with this?

posted by biwa-shu to Home & Garden (3 answers total)

I've never done it, but I'd give it a go. They're quite vigorous trees when all said and done, so I think it would make it. Just make sure to take as much soil with it as possible, and water it in well.
posted by Solomon at 2:52 AM on July 16, 2008

Disclaimer: Have transplanted several trees and large bushes, but not eucalyptus.

Likely possible, but also probable to be a heckuva lot of work, particularly depending on how much help you have. The root ball for a ten foot tree is likely to be darn substantial. Dirt gets heavy really quickly.

Assuming you're in the northern hemisphere, it's not a fantastic time of year to transplant large things without also planning for a lot of care through the summer to keep it happy after the shock you'll cause it by taking it out of the ground.

There have been other types of trees that I've attempted to transplant that just haven't done well, period. Eucalyptus may be one of these "touchy" species.

Eucalyptus is known as a fast grower, so, hating to say this, if it doesn't belong where it is, but is wanted somewhere else, it may indeed be the best move to just remove from its current spot and find another way to get a new one into the new spot.
posted by LoraxGuy at 5:07 AM on July 16, 2008

As many people on the west coast of the US can tell you, eucalyptus is invasive and fast growing. You might try moving it, but wouldn't lose a lot of sleep if it didn't make it. You can replace it readily and swiftly.
posted by plinth at 7:04 AM on July 16, 2008