Eucalyptus is famous throughout the world as a flower plant. The reason behind this is the humongous number of species it has. The found species of eucalyptus is close to seven hundred.
Today, we are going to discuss and find out about the root system of the Eucalyptus tree.
Eucalyptus Root System Explained
The root system of the Eucalyptus tree can be labeled as invasive. The fast growth rate and shallowness of the roots also contribute to the invasiveness of Eucalyptus’ root system. The invasive and shallow roots of Eucalyptus can be detrimental to the plants and structures around it.
The Eucalyptus tree has many varieties and it means that the different varieties have different root systems. Let’s discuss in detail about some of them and find out the nature of their root system.
Rainbow eucalyptus:
Rainbow eucalyptus is mostly found in the forests of the Philippines. But this variety of Eucalyptus is known for having an invasive root system. Not only that, Rainbow eucalyptus also has pretty shallow roots.
Dwarf eucalyptus:
Dwarf eucalyptus got its name due to the fact that it grows to a smaller height compared to other species of eucalyptus. But this does not mean that it has got a non-invasive root system. Dwarf eucalyptus possesses shallow and invasive roots.
Eucalyptus victrix:
The other names of eucalyptus victrix include the western coolibah. The important thing about eucalyptus victrix is that it possesses an invasive root system. On top of that, its roots are quite shallow as well.
Eucalyptus cinerea:
Eucalyptus cinerea also goes by the name of argyle apple tree and silver dollar tree. Eucalyptus cinerea can possess either deep or shallow roots depending on the nature of their plantation place. But its root system remains invasive in both cases.
Eucalyptus summer red:
Eucalyptus summer red is known mostly for being a beautiful ornamental tree due to its pink and red blossoms. The root system of eucalyptus summer red can be quite invasive according to gardening experts.
Eucalyptus caesia:
Eucalyptus caesia tree also goes by the name of gungurru tree. This variety of eucalyptus is mostly found in parts of Australia. Eucalyptus caesia has got excessively shallow and invasive roots.
Eucalyptus camaldulensis:
River red gum is another name that is associated with the eucalyptus camaldulensis tree. This variety of eucalyptus has deep roots. Despite having deep roots, it has got an invasive root system.
Eucalyptus gunnii:
The nickname of eucalyptus gunnii tree is cider gum tree. Eucalyptus gunnii is known for possessing an invasive root system. Additionally, the roots are shallow and live very close to the surface of the soil.
Eucalyptus nicholii:
The Eucalyptus nicholii tree is known in some regions by the name of the willow peppermint tree. This variety of Eucalyptus does not have deep enough roots. The root system of Eucalyptus nicholii can be described as shallow and invasive.
Eucalyptus silver princess:
The root system of Eucalyptus silver princess is invasive in nature. The roots of Eucalyptus silver princess do not go deep enough into the ground. That is why this variety of Eucalyptus tree can cause problems for the plants and structures around it.
Eucalyptus sideroxylon rosea:
Eucalyptus sideroxylon rosea is another variety of eucalyptus that is mostly found in the Australia region. This variety of eucalyptus is also known by the name of ironbark tree.
It has an incredibly invasive root system and these invasive roots can create problems for other plants of the garden due to its shallowness.
Eucalyptus globulus:
Blue gum is another name of Eucalyptus globulus and its origin lies in Australia. It can produce both shallow and deep roots depending on the condition of the soil. But the roots remain invasive regardless of their shallowness or deepness.
Eucalyptus ficifolia:
Eucalyptus ficifolia tree or red flowering gum tree has shallow and invasive roots. It can cause potential damage to sidewalks and foundations.
Does Eucalyptus have deep roots?
Eucalyptus are blessed with hundreds of varieties. But most of the varieties of eucalyptus do not have deep roots. Very small percentage of eucalyptus trees possess roots that go deep into the soil.
Otherwise, the eucalyptus trees have a root system with incredibly shallow roots. The shallowness of its root system is proved by the presence of the roots within one or two feet of the soil.
So the Eucalyptus tree is not the answer for you if you are looking for trees with deep roots to plant in your garden.
How deep are Eucalyptus roots?
Eucalyptus trees are not blessed with deep roots. In fact, most of their roots go as deep as only two feet into the ground. But some varieties of Eucalyptus do have deep roots. Their roots can go almost six feet into the ground.
The shallowness of Eucalyptus roots can often be problematic for the other plants and foundations nearby. That is why gardening experts suggest you refrain from planting an Eucalyptus tree near sidewalks.
Do eucalyptus trees have strong roots?
Eucalyptus trees are one of the fastest growing trees in the whole world. Due to its fast vertical growth rate, it can become very tall in no time. So eucalyptus trees tend to develop strong enough roots to provide adequate supportive structure for their body weight.
The interesting thing about eucalyptus trees is that their taproot can reach as deep as sixty feet into the soil. The taproot and the lateral roots of the Eucalyptus tree are strong enough to support the growth rate.
What is the root system of a Eucalyptus tree?
It can be difficult to describe the root system of a Eucalyptus tree due to the huge number of varieties it possesses. Let’s discuss in detail in order to find out the exact root system of the Eucalyptus tree.
Invasive root system:
One thing that can be said about most of the varieties of Eucalyptus is that they have an invasive root system. The invasiveness of Eucalyptus’ root system comes in handy in terms of growth rate.
Shallow lateral roots:
The lateral roots of the Eucalyptus tree play a huge role in their overall growth. But their lateral roots are very shallow and can reach as far as one hundred feet from its point of origin.
Deep taproot:
Despite having shallow lateral roots, the taproot of a eucalyptus tree is deep enough to provide support to its structure. The taproot of the eucalyptus is known for reaching as deep as fifty to sixty feet into the ground.
Fast growing root system:
All the roots of the eucalyptus tree have a fast growth. This includes both the taproot and the lateral roots. The fast growth rate of the roots coincides with the overall growth rate of the tree.
How big are Eucalyptus roots?
Eucalyptus trees have an extensive root system. The roots of Eucalyptus trees can spread as far as one hundred feet from its origin point. The wide root system of Eucalyptus enables it to collect the required water and nutrients from the ground.
That is one of the major reasons why Eucalyptus grows so tall in a short period of time. The big roots of Eucalyptus add high value to its survivability.
Are Eucalyptus roots invasive?
The Eucalyptus tree is known for having one of the most invasive root systems in the entire world. First of all, the roots produced by the Eucalyptus tree are strong indeed. On top of that, the roots can spread far and wide.
All of these factors play a crucial role in making the Eucalyptus roots invasive. The invasiveness of Eucalyptus trees can create survival issues for other plants of the garden.
Can Eucalyptus roots damage foundation or pipes?
There are some things we need to consider when it comes to the damaging capabilities of eucalyptus trees. The Eucalyptus tree is blessed with very strong lateral roots. But these lateral roots do not go deep into the ground and can spread as far as one hundred feet from the tree.
The invasive and shallow nature of the Eucalyptus roots make them one of the major causes of foundation and pipe damage. If there is a building or any concrete structure within fifty feet of a eucalyptus tree, then its foundation can get damaged by the lateral roots of the Eucalyptus.
Do Eucalyptus spread or multiply?
Eucalyptus is a fast growing tree. Its fast growth rate and wide spreading roots often give it the chance to spread or multiply. Eucalyptus trees possess the biological ability to spread or multiply through branching.
In this step, the shallow and invasive lateral roots of the Eucalyptus come in handy. The spreading or multiplying ability of the eucalyptus trees can pose serious problems for other plants of the garden.
Final Thoughts
Most of the Eucalyptus trees have invasive roots. Additionally, the lateral roots of eucalyptus trees are strong and spread very quickly. But these roots can reach just one or two feet into the ground. It is not wise to plant a Eucalyptus tree near a building or sidewalks because of invasiveness.