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| Purchased at a tree nursery, we planted our lovely Peltophorum in April. It was about 8 feet tall with a small crown. Today - 2 months later - it is about 10 feet tall, with a lush and growing crown. However, the trunk remains slender and cannot hold up the crown in the slightest breeze. Here in south Florida, we have prevailing east and southeast breezes, and have had to stake the tree, even though the nurseryman said the tree should be fine without staking. The last rain storm tore out one of the stakes, and the tree doubled over with the crown on the ground. We were able to raise it, with no apparent damage to the trunk - no cracks or breaks - and re-staked it. Wondering if the slender trunk is normal? Should the crown be thinned? If so, how? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by flamingopani z10 FL (My Page) on Wed, Jun 20, 12 at 11:23
| Sounds like you need to downsize the canopy by pruning it back abit, probably to a foot or so from the last break(branch). If overly branched then thin out the canopy, particularly the width by cutting back outer limbs to where they originate. It is best to try to train it to a central leader, single trunk going straight up with all the branches orginating from it rather than a rounded (inverted bowl) shape. Although it maybe too late or difficult for that now it would be worth a try. Search online for diagram/explantions. Restake but using the 3-point method (triangle around the tree w/3 stakes 2-3ft out from the trunk with a strap from each to the trunk)this will allow for trunk movement to help build up trunk strength. Fertilize with a high potassium(K) feed will also help promote sturdiness. |
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| It has a nice central trunk, with 4 main limbs that branch in different directions, and leaf out. There are no limbs below 5 feet, just the slender trunk. It should be a pretty tree when mature, we're just concerned that the trunk isn't strong enough right now. We'll fertilize as you suggested, with high K. It's currently staked in the triangle setting. Thanks for your reply. |
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| "Sounds like you need to downsize the canopy by pruning it back abit, probably to a foot or so from the last break(branch)." This is NOT how one goes about pruning trees!!!!!!!!! Topping destroys the form of trees and often leads to undesirable complications. "...thin out the canopy..." This usually encourages more vertical growth, leading to increased floppiness (worse wind load in the long run). "Fertilize with a high potassium(K) feed..." NEVER fertilize a tree without a soil test or a good reason to believe your soil is nutrient deficient! Pretty much everything that flamingopani recommended (except for the staking) seems to go against recommended arboriculture practices. |
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| Okay. You have my attention. But what's missing in YOUR reply are the corrective actions that SHOULD be taken to help the tree form a robust trunk at this stage of growth. What would you recommend? Based on arboriculture practices? Our summer storms can have really strong winds, and the tree right now cannot stand on it's own. |
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| Den6265, It's very hard to know which actions should be taken without even seeing the tree. Most of the previous recommendations were obviously not advisable, but which actions would be likely to help depend on the specifics of the situation. It sounds like you may have purchased a tree that wasn't in ideal conditions to start with. Spindly/lanky nursery stock is not all that uncommon and can really be challenging to take care of while getting it back into shape. Time (for the trunk to grow thicker) is probably your most useful tool, but other things might help, depending on the situation. Proper staking sounds (from your description) like an imperative. Keeping the ties loose enough for movement is also highly important. Again, much more info and pictures might lead to more specific advice. |
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- Posted by flamingopani z10 FL (My Page) on Mon, Jun 25, 12 at 21:50
| First of all DEN6265, I am assuming you live in S.Florida, based on that: Keep in mind I am only offering SUGGESTIONS and items to review with only your word to go on without seeing the tree, not a diagnosis. BUT, knowing conditions in South Florida, where our soils are poor, nutrient deficient and often sandy--we have our own formulation of fertilizers to deal with these issues and Potassium is one of them. Plants are subject to nearly a 12 month growing season, deluges or rain and heat--plants grow here like no where else. Downsizing and thinning are common practices to develop strong, wind (hurricane) resistant trees. We follow arboriculture practices, but ones adapted to on our specialized conditions, not ones from elsewhere. Certainly, hire a certified arborist and take a soil sample down to your local Cooperative Extension office for testing. |
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