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In depth guideHistory & hardiness in UK Eucalyptus history in the UKHardinessProvenance Cultivation Plant sizePlanting timePlanting & aftercareDistance from buildingsProtection from animalsPests and diseasesTransplantingScreening and planting distance Site suitability Lime toleranceShade toleranceCoastal sitesInland exposureDroughtClay soilsWaterlogging Container growing HouseplantsGrowing in tubsBonsai Pruning methods CoppicingPollardingHedging/'A' pruning Growth features Unique growth featuresJuvenile & adult foliageImmature foliageBarkFloweringAromaGrowth per year/mature height Miscellaneous Letter from propritorTestimonialsExotic varietiesQuick resultsVariations of individualsCarbon sinkCritisisms of EucalyptusMedicinal usesCommercial usesAcaiaVisitorHelp & advice

 

Pests and diseases

In the U.K. Eucalypts are relatively free of pests and diseases. There is a species of psyllid (Ctenarytaina eucalypti) which has been in Britain since at least 1922 which lives exclusively on some species of Eucalypts. Both adults and nymphs can become established on the bloom of glaucous tender juvenile or immature leaves, normally on the most recent new growth. They surround themselves with a woolly excretion which is a mixture of honeydew and cast skins. They do not attack the adult leaves. The adults overwinter on host plants. The Snow Gums or E. parvula or E. subcrenulata are not affected. Young trees or coppice regrowth not at the adult leaf stage is mainly at risk. The damage is mainly cosmetic but can be a problem in cut foliage production. Because both this pest and Eucalypts are not native to this country non of the psyllid's natural enemies were present.

In 1994 in conjunction with Prof. Ian Hodgkinson of Liverpool John Moores University a licence was received from the Department of the Environment to release a parasitic wasp (Psyllaephagus pilosus) into the wild at this Nursery. The female wasp (about 1mm in size) lays a single egg in the psyllid nymph. The hatching larva feeds on the psyllid eventually killing it. Pupation takes place within the remains of the nymph from which a single adult wasp emerges. This parasitic wasp parasitizes the Eucalypt psyllid exclusively. This biological control method has been carefully monitored and has so far been extremely successful. Parasitic wasps will shortly be available to other growers.

In areas where Silver leaf disease is prevalent on Prunus species, if a Eucalyptus tree has been cut back for the first time, it is advisable to paint the cut with a wound paint and to do so on a dry day. This should prevent the disease. The symptoms are papery and unnatural silvery foliage and die-back of the shoots. The spores enter through a wound.

There are a few diseases which can affect young plants in the Nursery but once planted out as individuals the plants are not susceptible.

 

Odemia

 Psyllids