BonsaiPoppie
Mame
There are no dumb questions.Thanks! I’ll cut them back then. Should I cut them all around half off or completely? I know that probably sounds like a dumb question lol
Should I trim these Crape suckers to redirect energy?
- Thread starter SmallTreeGuy
- Start date
SmallTreeGuy
Yamadori
Thanks BonsaiPoppie!
Well, so far, the experiment has shown to be inconclusive, but the suckers I did trim back are growing back out just as vigorously as before. I only have one bud that popped through but only a little higher on the base of the trunk and none higher up than that yet. but, I’ll just roll with it and let it do it’s thing for a while.
SmallTreeGuy
Yamadori
Update on the large Crape Myrtle that I collected and divided from my front yard.
The three CMs are now growing like crazy and have been profusely budding on all trunks. The one with the large deadwood interior that was showing no signs of life, grew suckers and finally just gained enough momentum to bud in two places on the trunk most of this trunk died back after collection but the side with the two buds has a 5-inch-wide section that is alive from the soil to the trunk chop.
I’ve started to trim and guy wire a few branches down gently. (I only did like 3 or 4 but will have more time to do the remaining tomorrow) At this early stage, I have found that the branches can be bent away from the trunk without breaking off. I have noticed they grow and heal extremely fast and the branch can “set” within a few days. If the branch starts to lignify without being bent away soon enough, I’ve found that they can snap completely off very easily. (I found that out the hard way a couple of times).
Fortunately, there are so many buds still pushing, that it doesn’t hurt too much to break a branch or two.
I’m happy to see such vigorous growth. I guess that can attributed to the, still very warm, summer days still clinging-on here in Dallas. Thankfully we are out of the 100+’s though.
Here are some pictures of the growth since the original pictures, posted on this same thread. I also included two close-ups of buds emerging from the deadwood trunk that I thought had completely died after I noticed parts of the trunk dying right after collection.
The last two pictures are of fissure in the bark of one of the Crapes, showing buds emerging from the cambium build-up, in a ring. So many buds, still fighting to burst through.
Enjoy everyone and I’d like to hear any thoughts you have or advice! It would be greatly appreciated!
The three CMs are now growing like crazy and have been profusely budding on all trunks. The one with the large deadwood interior that was showing no signs of life, grew suckers and finally just gained enough momentum to bud in two places on the trunk most of this trunk died back after collection but the side with the two buds has a 5-inch-wide section that is alive from the soil to the trunk chop.
I’ve started to trim and guy wire a few branches down gently. (I only did like 3 or 4 but will have more time to do the remaining tomorrow) At this early stage, I have found that the branches can be bent away from the trunk without breaking off. I have noticed they grow and heal extremely fast and the branch can “set” within a few days. If the branch starts to lignify without being bent away soon enough, I’ve found that they can snap completely off very easily. (I found that out the hard way a couple of times).
Fortunately, there are so many buds still pushing, that it doesn’t hurt too much to break a branch or two.
I’m happy to see such vigorous growth. I guess that can attributed to the, still very warm, summer days still clinging-on here in Dallas. Thankfully we are out of the 100+’s though.
Here are some pictures of the growth since the original pictures, posted on this same thread. I also included two close-ups of buds emerging from the deadwood trunk that I thought had completely died after I noticed parts of the trunk dying right after collection.
The last two pictures are of fissure in the bark of one of the Crapes, showing buds emerging from the cambium build-up, in a ring. So many buds, still fighting to burst through.
Enjoy everyone and I’d like to hear any thoughts you have or advice! It would be greatly appreciated!
milehigh_7
Mister 500,000
Olives are the same way here. I saw some huge ones today. Almost took pics.
leatherback
The Treedeemer
I would not do too much to the tree. Thin sprouts to one at each location, and then let it grow. Allow the tree to gain strength and rebuild roots before you do much. It is pushing from reserves, and needs this push to create new roots.
SmallTreeGuy
Yamadori
I agree. I’m am not doing much at all other than letting them grow. I did guy wire a few down but honestly it was just an experiment. These trees grow like weeds and here in North Texas they are hard to kill. There are even suckers that are growing out of the soil up to 7 inches away from the trunk already. Those growing so far away from any wood would have to be sprouting from new roots under the surface, don’t you think? The root mass at collection didn’t go beyond the spread of nebari or any of the cuts on two of the trees. This has me wondering if the roots have already grown that far out (not densely yet necessarily) but at least enough to grow new sprouts from bare soil since there are sprouts coming out from the ground from so far away. That has to be a good sign for root growth I would think?
But, by and large, I’m just letting them sit get good sun and watering them when they need it.
