Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
dmacsimus66

crooked trunk on a Quercus Laceyi

D McElhaney Sr
9 years ago

I received my quercus Laceyi oak tree{{gwi:807}} today and was very disappointed once I opened the shipping box. I had asked for the straightest and tallest one they had in their sizes they offered. I also requested it being used for a tree and not a shrub in their selections. Anyway, as soon as I cleared the foam packing peanuts{{gwi:807}} away from the plant, I noticed it had a very crooked trunk. See pics. So, I'm hoping with time in growth and girth, will this tree possibly straighten out? It's also looking really bad at the base.

Any oak tree specialists out there? Help{{gwi:807}}........... :((

This post was edited by Dmacsimus on Thu, Feb 5, 15 at 14:42

Comments (90)

  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    7 years ago
    my plan is to within the next few days, remove the stick from the ground, and only use it for central leader support direction. I will then secure it along the tree's top main leader and down the trunk for a few feet. I will then use the three support poles to keep the tree semi supported until it can be released on its own. this process will take a period of about 2 years from when I start. as it's stands now, no it would not stand straight. what I'm working for is a straight trunk, high head to eventually branch out over my shed.
  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    7 years ago
    oh, and I will trim it up from the bottom up some, to help with the load.
  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    7 years ago
    it's only been staked for the time planted in the ground.... this is the tree's 2nd summer!
  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    7 years ago
    tree trimmed up a bit.
  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    7 years ago
    shorter, lighter support stick secured near top central leader and down the trunk some. tree trunk is supported by three thin tree tape strips. when I removed all support, it did sway over to one side, but not as bad as I thought it was going to. only time will tell. I am hoping trimming will not be necessary as time passes. I plan on this winter, reducing the central leader support stick some and then again late spring. we will see.
  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    7 years ago
    already removed top trunk support stick, and it's now standing well by itself. I'm thinking in a year, I should be able to remove the three trunk support sticks. I want the trunk straight. if it is too early, I keep it on supports a bit longer. we have steady winds from the north west for a month sometimes which I've seen push and pitch a tree crooked.
    thanks
  • bossyvossy
    7 years ago

    Beautiful tree but isn't it too close to house? Maybe angles are deceiving me.

  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    7 years ago
    angles are deceiving you, measured : 4' 5" away from shed. I want the tree to shade over the shed. these oaks aren't, aren't, supposed to get really big. I have a feeling since the tree is irrigated it will be come big anyway. we shall see.
  • Mike McGarvey
    7 years ago

    The eve is closer to the trunk than the shed wall.

    Mike

  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    7 years ago
    one foot
  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    7 years ago
    update as of 01-04-2017. still growing, but slow, and keeping some leaves on. what a nice oak. would love to see this one crossed with a California Blue oak !
  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    6 years ago
    update as of 04-12-2017. entering another summer of growth. Gonna cut back on water . hopefully that will slow the outward growth, and increase the girth. it's awfully spendley to support the ever increasing head !
  • Trent A (9a/Gulf coast)
    6 years ago

    The girth will increase faster if you discontinue the removal of sidebraching and remove the stakes. Natural wind loads promote girth as the cells are allowed to expand and compress. Further, "limbing" up the tree only deters trunk girth development. If you must remove lateral growth to avoid the building and walkway, so be it. But allow the tree to develop branches towards the lawn and fenceline.

  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    6 years ago
    thanks Trent, yes I agree. unfortunately I have used stakes on this tree so I'm having to find balance for I wanted the trunk as straight as possible. here in Kalifornia about mid way we're experiencing some strong winds this time of season, 30-40 gusts. if I removed the supports now, I may loose it with a wind gust and snap the trunk. no bueno.
    so, I am purposely keeping the head trimmed up, for a want the tree to have a high head above the shed, and stop branching below, all in due time. until the tree can girth up somewhat, I am having to deal with the extraordinary growth this tree has shown. definately exposed to an abundance of water has effected the growth rate. thank you though for your time and thought.

    btw, this is an example of about a 10 mph wind ! ahhhhhhh, yeah. this is a balancing act II. lol
  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    6 years ago
    still growing like it's on STEROIDS! I've cut the watering back some. I've noticed if I water it heavily like a good soaking rain, it jumps and flushes out with more growth! As you can see in the pic, the trunk has put on girth, but still a balancing act. Here in Kalifornia we are still having winds daily, and almost daily some strong gusts. seriously, I think if I let her go without support, she would snap over, and I would loose her! well, I know I should have released her from the trunk stake along time ago. paying for it now for sure. Hopefully she can fatten herself up to stand on her own, and with strength to hold her head up!
    Thanks Guys
  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    6 years ago
    Oops, here's the pic. duhhhhhh
  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    6 years ago
    update 9-14-17, the trunk is thickening up somewhat. I'm hoping next year through summer it will support itself. hope'in.
  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    6 years ago
    update 3-20-18, trunk is continuing to girth up. excited to see it jump up this spring and summer.
  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    5 years ago
    update as of 4-9-2018. released the tree from all support poles. tree has flushed out with new leaves and growth. what an awesome oak tree. leaf patterns are beautiful. really like the tree. I'm really happy it is working out and growing well. tree's truck is really getting some growth now also.
  • ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
    5 years ago

    thanks for coming back and giving us yearly updates ....


    one inch from the trunk ... pull the mulch back .. just for the heck of it ....


    i also really enjoyed watching my young newly planted trees take off ... there should be no looking back from here ... and personally.. it should be free range .. both as to supplemental water and fert ...


    my 6 foot oaks planted around 2001 are now 30 footers ...


    ken



  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    5 years ago
    thanks Ken, I will do that, pull the bark away from the base. take some pics of your oaks, I'd like to see them, and tell me what they are. have a good one.
  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    5 years ago
    Hey Ken, and others, i had pulled the bark away from the Q. Laceyi, and the Regal Prince oak trees trunks. I forgot to snap a pic and repost of doing this though. All oaks ate growing and doing well. Hope everyone's trees are doing well also.
  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    5 years ago
    update 7-15-18, doing well. still top heavy, watching how much water the tree receives. wanting to slow the head of the tree growth, and let the trunk catch up. ;)
  • treenutt
    5 years ago

    love the progress. Wish more people would do this especially me. One thing. Its going to be a while before you get a sturdy tree. Branches help balance out trees/plants. This tree has become very top heavy from the looks of things. Branches can be removed as time goes by. Any size. Just let the tree do its thing. Get above where you want it, then prune. That way the trunk won't need all that junk hanging on the tree.

  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    5 years ago
    you got that right, totally top heavy. what I have learned in this variety of oak tree, is with heavy irrigation, keeping it supported to long, it grows at a rate in which it can't handle, ie: super top heavy.

    yup, letting to do its thing, controlling irrigation, and prune up above the shed level for a high headed tree.

    thanks for your responce,
    cheers.
  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    5 years ago

    update 11-12-18, tree is still top heavy. The trunk is thickening up, and the tree is becoming more sturdy, but still needs alot more girth. In do time. ;) Cya peeps.

  • Norbert (zone 7a - Hungary)
    5 years ago

    That's a beautiful oak tree you have there, Dmacsimus! I read back the comment history and saw the old pics, so I know it has come a long way to look this good. Keep us posted! :)

  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    5 years ago
    I will Norbert. I hope you have a good Thanksgiving.
  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    5 years ago

    fall colors, update 12-18-18. tree is filling out, and the trunk is thickening up. Can't wait to see the jump and growth of next year. Tree seems to be doing great, flourishing, considering the beginnings. very happy with this awesome white oak variety.

  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    5 years ago

    This tree holds on to most of its leaves through the winter. We have had a few good rain storms with winds, which helped it get rid of most of its leaves. if it wasn't for the winds, and rain, I believe it would have held on to alot more leaves than is on the tree now. Cheers to all!

  • HU-4658696337661
    4 years ago

    Please keep the updates coming. I have around 4 lacey oaks currently. planted a bunch of gallons and a 5 gallons in the past year that are starting to take off.

  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    4 years ago
    I will HU, post some pics of your trees in the containers on this thread. I would like to see them please. What ever you do, remove any support sticks as soon as you can. don't make the mistake I have done. I was able to get huge amounts of growth, but now the tree is top heavy. The trunk is now gaining size, and I'm hoping this growing season, it will become stronger and size up fast. Cheers
  • HU-4658696337661
    4 years ago

    Will do. I need to re-mulch, so I'll try and get some pics up in the next week or so. The 1 gallons I pretty much left off support (since the wind isn't taking those out) and am taking off the support off the 5 gallon I planted. All seem to have developed a good root base over the winter (planted last summer). Was shaking the trunks of them earlier and they're much more solid than last fall.

  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    4 years ago
    Cool HU, take some pictures when the tree has leaved out also please. I'm not sure your zone. What a beautiful tree these are! Awesome oaks! :)
  • HU-4658696337661
    4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Here's one of the 1 gallons that is starting to take off that I just took a pic of. I planted them late last summer and pretty much let them fend for themselves for the most part (watered when it was blazing hot though). It's almost doubled in size since. I'm in central Texas zone 8b, but very near their natural range. Have not had to baby it at all compared to my 5 gallons and above.

    Not bad for less than $10 bucks.


  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    4 years ago
    Very nice! Love the leaf pattern of the Quercus Laceyi oak trees. yup, you gotta deal on that for sure. They are getting hard to find now a days. Yes, definitely water them early morning, or late evenings when it's going to be a hot day. When you can, post the 5gals. Mine is starting to bud out, and the trunk has grown some through the winter.
  • HU-4658696337661
    4 years ago

    Yes the leaf pattern on 'em is awesome! They look like mini white oaks. I'm waiting on the leaves to bud out on the bigger ones and I'll post pics. They get that dusky blue hue as the season grows.


    I lost a 5 gallon last year due to overwatering at night and clay soil. I've learned that these oaks don't like to be babied. They're very free range and like to be left to their own.

  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    4 years ago

    Hi HU, really? I have found with mine, I watered it heavy in the summers. I only watered though once the ground around it was dry, and it grew like a weed, as one can see in this threads history. The tree though as you have mentioned, is very drought tolerant, and is of the White oak family. I hope you don't loose anymore. Mine BTW is also in heavy clay. Maybe our zones are just way different. The leaves are just starting to bud and push out. It's raining here now in Visalia, Calif., Cheers HU.

  • HU-4658696337661
    4 years ago

    Youve got a beautiful specimen.

  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    4 years ago
    Thank you HU.
  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    4 years ago

    4-4-19 Update; The tree has pushed out small leaves and is about to totally flush out. I noticed the trunk has put on some girth and is getting stronger. I will let it grow as it wants, control its irrigation, and only remove new lower branches of the lower trunk area to keep the trunk area seperate from the head of the tree. :)

  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    4 years ago

    Trunk is starting to girth up a bit, and the tree has jumped up and out and leaved out. Really like the leaf pattern. I will continue to be watchful and control its irrigation. Definitely needs more trunk girth more then tree head growth. :)

  • tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
    4 years ago

    The trunk is thin/weak because the tree was staked as it developed AND was limbed up prematurely as it grew. Your tree would be much larger/taller/ and have much more mass o/a had you left the lower branches on the tree until they grew to be about 1/4 the size of the trunk at their attachment point.

    Wind bending branches and trunks helps to stimulate formation of lignin, a natural polymer that makes trees woody/strong, and helps to thicken trunks. Also, lightly abrading the trunk with a stiff plastic brush as it grows stimulates synthesis of a growth regulator called ethylene which helps increase thickness, and because it also stimulates lignin production, strength of trunks.

    Al

  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    4 years ago
    Thanks for the reply, yes, if you read the entire thread, I have learned of this. Cheers
  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    4 years ago

    End of the growing season update. really blown away by this tree. once it sheds its leaves, there are a few branches which have grown ahead of the others (lowers), which I will cut back. Other than that, beautiful tree, and an upright grower as it's marketed to be.... so far. ;) Merry CHRISTmas to all!

  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    4 years ago

    End of growing season corrected; I apologize, got my oaks and posts mixed up. The previous pics were that of the Scarlet Letter oak, and NOT the Quercus Laceyii intended to be updated.

    The Quercus Laceyii has been the fastest growing oak I've ever seen. This is due to my zone and watering on a raised bed for good drainage, great weather, and ideal conditions. I really like this oak and it reminds me of a Quercus Douglasii for its leave patterns and a growth rate of a Quercus Lobata! Best of both worlds, so far. This summer, the tree has filled out and gained a lots of trunk girth. Merry CHRISTmas to all.

  • bengz6westmd
    4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Very interesting. Q laceyii a white or black oak? Looked it up & couldn't find out quickly & no entry in the Silvics manual.

  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    4 years ago

    White oak, and if you have internet access, try Google.

  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    4 years ago

    correction... Quercus Laceyi.

  • D McElhaney Sr
    Original Author
    3 years ago

    Update 6-6-2020: The tree has really poured on some growth. While most of the available information on this tree suggests it is a slow to very slow grower, and I beg to differ. I believe their reason for this being, is that they are probably referring to it, in its wild natural location. When planted in an urban setting, which is control irrigated, these things grow like a weed as this entire thread shows. Cheers all and stay safe!

0