Tucson Eucalyptus Trees

How to maintenance your Eucalyptus tree

  Eucalyptus trees are used to draught conditions and create a well anchored root net when they expand in search of water. If planted in a lawn which is watered regularily, the roots could "get lazy" and do not need to go in search of water. This can result in a fast growing tree with shallow roots, could spell disaster if it falls onto the house.

This being said, grass needs loose soil, adequate moisture and sunshine to live. Most common problems growing grass around trees involves shade. If the grass is heavily shaded it can be very challenging to grow grass there. You may be able to grow smaller areas of grass if any particular area get more sun than others.

Under the canopy of large mature trees, water often is unable to reach the soil level. If the lawn is not watered manually the tree almost always win the competition for water and a well developed root net can literally remove hundereds of gallons of water from the soil.

Newly laid sod, or newly sown seeds, require even moisture to grow and germinate. The seeds/sod should be planted on loosened soil (to which preferably a bit of compost has been mixed in) and then this soil surface must be kept consistently moist (moist, never dry, but not saturated/soaked either) until the seeds germinate or the sod roots. If allowed to dry out during this period the grass seeds or the sod roots die. During the first year after establishment additional water must be supplied with regular intervals to avoid dying off. E.g. in initial stages it may be necerssary to water 1-2 times daily for 10-15 minutes (more frequently during very hot summers).

Once the grass matures and settles in you should then change the watering pattern. The "rule" now is to water infrequently but deeply (e.g. such as once every week for 2 hours instead of 15 minutes daily). This will thoroughly wet the root zone to a dept of 8-10". Then it is not necerssary to water again until the top 1" of soil is dry. At this time the lawn should be watered thoroughly again to wet the root zone to a dept of 8-10" again.

Under large mature trees, hard compact soil (due to root activity), shade and lack of water (due to dense canopy and from competition with roots) is often the result. This is more often than not why grass fails under large trees.

Depending on your actual situation:

Selectively pruning dense canopies

Paying attention to watering, but still watering correctly (frequently and shallowly to keep the top 1" of soil consistently hydrated during establishment and then gradually increase to an infrequent but deep watering pattern as the grass matures).

Core aerating annually (machines can be rented at equipment rental stores) and possibly topdressing with 1" of topsoil or compost to keep the soil loose and accommodating to the grass.
 

Eucalyptus Tree      

General Tree Trimming