Development of Eucalyptus elata ( River Pepermint) so far

[PeterH]

Although this tree is still in early stages of development I thought I would share the development so far.

I planted this tree in the ground in 2005 from a 4” pot. It was dug up in 2008 and left with the other stock trees until December last year.

It was then moved from the black pot to the training pot. The last 2 shots are of it today waiting for the summer to come back.

This is the first time I have used this variety and am happy so far with the response to the root pruning and early indications show that it will reduce leaf size.

One of the other points I like about elata is the strong smell of peppermint when a leaf is crushed.

As it develops I will post more photos.

Peter

[kcpoole]

Nice small leaves too

going to be nice when the top fills out

Ken

[Steven]

Coming along nicely Peter! A contender for future Australian Native Bonsai Awards?

Can you advise how you deal with or prevent the lower branches dieing off on Eucalyptus. Or do you just go with the flow and restyle as needed?

Regards,
Steven

[Roger]

Hi Peter
Lovely start on this euc. Maybe a 'river' tree, but you are putting a great 'woodland' shape into it.

Looking forward to its return to growth in 'summer', which it certainy isn't here at the moment!

Roger

[PeterH]

Coming along nicely Peter! A contender for future Australian Native Bonsai Awards?

Can you advise how you deal with or prevent the lower branches dieing off on Eucalyptus. Or do you just go with the flow and restyle as needed?

Regards,
Steven

Steven,

I try to keep my eucalyptus balanced but I still loose branches and as you said, I go with the flow and restyle.Often there is new growth I use to take the place of the old one.

Peter

[PeterH]

An update,

Its summer and we have foliage and new pot.

Peter

[Dario]

It is filling out well Peter
Cheers, Dario.

[Steven]

Love the new pot Peter

Do E. elata always have such pure looking bark?

Regards,
Steven

[Roger]

Steven
E. elata, known as the 'river peppermint' or 'river white gum', occurs along the coastal plain from maybe Newcastle-ish down to east Gipsland.

The bark on mature trees is described as rough on lower part of trunk, compact, with narrow longitudinal fissures, dark grey; shedding above into long ribbons (which remain in the crown partly attached) to leave a smooth grey, cream or whitish surface (Field Guide to the Eucalypts Vol 1).

So, maybe one of the signs of age in this species is a knee-length stocking of dark grey rough bark on the trunk of the lower 15-20% of the tree height, with smooth, peeling bark above and a few thin ribbons hanging in the canopy. Now that would be something .

Cheers
Roger

[PeterH]

Update,

[Roger]

Peter
Looking so good. Even with the triangularish crown, it would sit nicely on my bench.

[PeterH]

Update,

Some work done today.

Regards,

Peter

[irish]

Hi.

Now in a few years

Well done.

Regards.
Irish.

[PeterH]

Yes Irish,

It may even make the National collection

[GavinG]

Very fine and elegant. The scar front and central is very Gum Tree. It's interesting how far it's come in just 8 months.

When will you repot? And are the accent plants coming back?

Thanks for posting.

Gavin