Jane, known to many as the Mulchmaid was bemoaning the fact that her Eucalyptus was listing to starboard after recent storms. We were having that problem, so R propped ours up like so.
Here is a close-up of the end that makes contact with the trunk of the tree. Extra boards are screwed to opposing sides of the 4×4 post, making a groove for the tree trunk. The post and tree are lashed together with electrical tape below those boards and the other end of the post was driven deep into the ground. These trees have a tendency to shoot up rapidly and get a bit gangly. The shallow root system makes them likely to tip over, especially when the ground has become soggy with heavy rains.
I’m pretty sure any expert would tell us to cut back all of those suckers coming up from the ground, but the main part of the tree is so rangy that the extra fullness they provide is welcome. The buttress has been in place now for two years, so I think it is about time to remove it and see if the tree can make it on its own. Jane’s leaning tree has a much handsomer profile…well worth a little extra effort to keep him on the up and up.
Good job R! If you ever do cut back the suckers at the bottom what a lovely bouquet for your favorite vase (or four).
This is definitely a solution, Ricki. Richard is a handy (and creative) fella! I’ll look forward to seeing the results soon and discuss this option with the Mulch Man. Meanwhile, I will check with the Cistus folks for additional ideas, and there’s always the drastic step of cutting it down close to the ground and waiting for re-growth 🙁
I like your sprouty base, by the way; ours continues to send out new growth close to the soil line, but not as energetically as yours. I’m not so sure you would be advised by experts to cut them back, but clearly I’m no expert, or my tree would have been better dealt with in its earlier days!
Loree~I do harvest branches for bouquets, and they last practically forever.
Jane~WWCD (What Would Cistus Do?)…what a good idea. They have lost a few of their Eucalyptus in recent winters too, though.
I have a crape myrtle doing the same thing. I think I’ll have to get out there and see if it’s salvageable. Fingers crossed on yours.
I guess I’m fortunate that mine is still a juvenile , too tiny to keel over .
I’m hoping to try out a new coffee place this weekend, I think you may know of it, near Philip’s work, ane two for the price of one…
Grace~My crape myrtle is about 8 years old and has never bloomed. It does have great fall color, though.
Linda~You must be talking about Ristretto Nicolai. Let me know how you like it.