"Spider" wrote in message
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A friend and neighbour of mine arrived home yesterday evening with a
Eucalytpus. I'm not sure which one, but it's one of those whose young
foliage is round.

She wants to plant it in front of her sitting room window on the site of a
dead Cordyline. She intends to keep it as a low shrub so it doesn't
exclude light. So far, no problem. Unfortunately, her chosen planting
site is about 1m (3ft) in front of the house. I was alarmed. I have
always believed that Eucalypts were drain-strangling foundation-wreckers,
and advised her to think again. Am I right? Even if she keeps it
trimmed, I would have thought the roots would be too invasive. I don't
want to spoil her plans, but she doesn't want to harm her house, either.

I would be most grateful for your opinions, urglers all.

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Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay

Spider our neighbours at our last house had one in their front garden close
to the fence. Grew very fast and spindly, then fell over in a slight wind.
The root structure was across the surface of the ground and had no stability
or holding power. (Fell across the dividing fence)

If your neighbour keeps it well trimmed, not much of a problem, but what if
trimming is left for a year/period?

I would touch one with a Barge Pole, nor a Kilmarnock Willow for the same
reason

Mike


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Remember, a statue has never been erected to a critic.

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