W Roberts, of Alnwick, has two eucalyptus trees in a small garden. They are approximately nine feet tall. Can they be cut down to stop them getting out of hand?

THE eucalyptus belongs to a family with hundreds of species, many of them unsuitable for growing in cooler British climates. But some have now become familiar figures in the garden.

They are attractive trees grown mainly for their foliage and bark, but they can grow quite large if left unpruned. The good news is that with some simple pollarding or coppicing they can fit into even the smallest garden.

Coppicing, which means cutting the large trunk right back down to ground level, creates a multi-stemmed bush. Doing this every year encourages the growth of the more attractive smaller, rounder leaves.

Pollarding, which is where the stem is cut much higher, from waist to head height, can create more room if border space is at a premium by lifting the canopy up and allowing planting underneath. It is a little more difficult to keep pruned on a yearly basis, though.

Any pruning on eucalyptus is best done in February or March, just before the trees burst into life.

Don’t throw away any clippings, though, as the wood, used on a summer barbecue gives of a lovely scent which is also a mosquito repellent. The leaves, if dried, can be crushed and sprinkled on the flower borders to deter cats from using the soil for toilet purposes. Sprays of dried leaves still attached to the stems can be hung up in summer to keep flies out of the house.

Jobs this week

■ Put a good mix of well-rotted compost or sprinkle an all-purpose fertiliser around the base of hedges, trees and shrubs. This gives them a boost just as they begin their spring growth.
■ Winter-flowering heathers can have their flowerheads trimmed back down now.

Never cut down into old wood, though, as it often will not grow back.
■ Plant shallots outside on soil that has been warmed by a layer of polythene.

Shallots grow more like garlic, splitting into cloves rather than like the onion and just getting larger throughout the season. It is still a little early for onion sets to go outside. I would wait a couple more weeks.

Horticultural event

SATURDAY, March 21 between 10am and 4pm, sees the opening of a new plant centre specialising in hardy northern perennials, including some more unusual specimens, most of which are self-propagated and grown on site. Lazy Dayz is situated just off the farm in Houghall on the southern fringe of Durham City. Follow the signs to the Pumphouse restaurant.

■ Brigid presents the BBC Tees Green, Gardening & Great Outdoors show every Sunday from 11am to 2pm. Questions can be sent by email to brigidpress@bbc.co.uk anytime during the week, or texting 07786- 200995 and phoning 01642-225511 during the show. Written questions can be sent to Lazy Dayz Plant Centre, Farm Road, Houghall, Durham City, County Durham, DH1 3SG.