Eucalyptus Branch Drop: Why Eucalyptus Tree Branches Keep Falling

Eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus spp.) are tall, beautiful specimens. They adapt easily to the many different regions in which they are cultivated. Although they are quite drought tolerant when established, the trees can react to insufficient water by dropping branches. Other disease issues can also cause branch drop in eucalyptus trees. Read on for more information about falling eucalyptus branches.

Eucalyptus Branch Drop

When eucalyptus tree branches keep falling from the tree, it may mean that the tree is suffering from disease. If your eucalyptus tree suffers from an advanced rot disease, the leaves wilt or become discolored and fall from the tree. The tree may also suffer eucalyptus branch drop. Rot diseases in the tree occur when the Phytophthora fungi infects the roots or crowns of the tree. You may be able to see a vertical streak or canker on infected eucalyptus trunks and a discoloration beneath the bark before you see falling eucalyptus branches. If dark sap oozes from the bark, your tree likely has a rot disease. As a result, branches die back and may fall from the tree. If branch drop in eucalyptus signals a rot disease, the best defense is planting or transplanting the trees in well-drained soil. Removing infected or dying branches may slow the spread of the disease.

Eucalyptus Branches Falling on Property

Falling eucalyptus branches do not necessarily mean that your trees have a rot disease, or any disease for that matter. When eucalyptus tree branches keep falling, it may mean that the trees are suffering from extended drought. Trees, like most other living organisms, want to live and will do whatever they can to prevent demise. Branch drop in eucalyptus is one means the trees use to prevent death in times of severe lack of water. A healthy eucalyptus tree suffering from long-term lack of water may suddenly drop one of its branches. The branch will not show any sign of disease on the inside or the outside. It will simply fall from the tree to allow the remaining branches and trunk to have more moisture. This presents a real danger to homeowners since the eucalyptus branches falling on property can cause damage. When they fall on human beings, injuries or death can be the result.

Advance Signs of Falling Eucalyptus Branches

It is not possible to predict the falling eucalyptus branches in advance. However, a few signs may indicate possible danger from eucalyptus branches falling on property. Look for multiple leaders on a trunk that might cause the trunk to split, a leaning tree, branch attachments that are in a “V” shape rather than a “U” shape and decay or cavities in the trunk. If the eucalyptus trunk is cracked or the branches hanging, you may well have a problem.