posted
My mom bought a young carrotwood tree last spring and it has its trunk tied to a long stake. The trunk is really thin and she gets some good wind gusts that might harm it. But my question is, will the stake stunt the growth of the tree? It doesn't seem to be growing much and my sister thinks its starting to bow a bit. Should we loosen up the ties or use a different method of support? The tree is about 8 ft tall with a long thin trunk and most of its growth at the top 2-3 feet. Any help would be most appreciated.
* * * * Women and cats will do as they please. Men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. Plants: 766 | From: The real OC in sunny So. Cal. | Registered: Aug 2003
| Seeded: 216.114.206.2
posted
http://sarasota.extension.ufl.edu/Hort/MG/Carrotwood.htm I did a lil look around ( leavin work now, so I don't want to be here longer than necessary) but apparently they are pretty self sufficient, too progressive in some araes. Of course if it's thin, it will need a lil helping hand with support, but i try to use something that won't "grow" into the tree, or at least expands. Alot of people use nylons for ties, and maybe each time you go by, you could move the nylon 9 where it touches the tree) up or down a few inches to prevent it from scarring the trunk. It does seem to have nice flowers and seed pods from the pictures. Good luck with it. I'm sure the first year, it was still adjusting to it's new home! Plants: 253 | From: Virginia | Registered: Oct 2002
| Seeded: 206.208.228.251
posted
Thanks Renee. I was thinking that maybe we should change the type of ties being used. I don't think the ones on there are giving it much room to breathe. It does look like a pretty tree, I can't wait to see it get bigger and give some shade to her sunny yard. Thanks again.
* * * * Women and cats will do as they please. Men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. Plants: 766 | From: The real OC in sunny So. Cal. | Registered: Aug 2003
| Seeded: 216.114.206.2
posted
Thanks Barb. I'll send that on to my sister. I think we may need to change its ties a bit, but other than that it should be okay.
* * * * Women and cats will do as they please. Men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. Plants: 766 | From: The real OC in sunny So. Cal. | Registered: Aug 2003
| Seeded: 216.114.206.2
posted
Gardengal....we had a couple of those trees in Hac. Hts. Make sure it isn't planted to close to a driveway or sidewalk....it WILL lift it up! We had to remove one tree just for that reason. The seeds will want to sprout constantly!
It is a beautiful tree....when my kids were little they used to call those seed hulls...little pumpkins because they turned orange color. Kinda messy if driving over them.
Oh yea......hopefully you got a male tree....the females produces thousands of the pods each year!!!
Don't get me wrong these are great looking trees IF planted in the right area!!!!
* * * * Plants: 7129 | From: California | Registered: Mar 2003
| Seeded: 68.66.244.5
posted
Catlover...eek, its kind of close to a sidewalk. I'll have to measure it. I think she did get a male tree, I don't remember many seed hulls last year. Thanks for the info. I'll pass it on as well.
* * * * Women and cats will do as they please. Men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. Plants: 766 | From: The real OC in sunny So. Cal. | Registered: Aug 2003
| Seeded: 216.114.206.2
posted
I have found this site extremely helpful when selecting trees to plant. It gives info about pruning needs, root invasiveness and lots of other goodies. It's from Florida and may not apply about it's invasiveness in your state.
* * * * When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant. Plants: 271 | From: Maryland zone 7 | Registered: Sep 2002
| Seeded: 68.55.145.196
* * * * Women and cats will do as they please. Men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. Plants: 766 | From: The real OC in sunny So. Cal. | Registered: Aug 2003
| Seeded: 216.114.206.2