skip to main content

Trees & Shrubs - Australia

Pruning cassia fistula

9 years ago

Hello, we planted a cassia fistula 2 years ago as a feature tree in our front garden, unfortunately not long after planting we lost the leader. The tree has continued to thrive, but is quite gangly and lopsided (see image). I'm looking for advice re pruning to see if it's possible to improve the overall shape of the tree or should is it too far gone to salvage and our best bet is to start again. Thanks in advance :)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

funnelweb
9 years ago
Well, turning me head upside down it appears you still have a fairly strong leader there, so I'd suggest that if you have a fairly long stake I'd bang it into the soil and pull that strong branch, gradually if it looks like it might break at the junction, straight. If you haven't, try a sturdy stick tied to the main stem below the branching and again to the branch above the stem.
B
funnelweb
9 years ago
PS. Also, if you have other branches putting out strong growth, I'd restrict them by cutting them back by a third which should encourage growth on the branch you want as a leader.
Related Discussions
Pruning cassia fistula
Q
Comments (7)
Congradulations on a wonderful choice of tree. I couldn't get a clear view of the tree either, but based on the cassias I've seen, and considering how yours is on the side of the house, I guess you wouldn't be looking at a canopy like form, and instead just allow one main leader branch to grow up and attain height, and for now let as many accessory leaflets grow for photosynthesis. A good shape would be something like an overgrown bush, with several main branches protruding on all sides so your flowers hang nicely. Trim away any unwanted accessory branchlets which take away from the main leader stem when they're young, because they tend to wooden up. When it reaches the height you want, start trimming the top of the leader stem and then allow it to spread. If it grows robustly, this is a simple tree to prune, and gives you lots of opportunities to make ammends for any mistakes. Do you have any recent pics? And also, could you address a problem I'm having with mine by following the link? Bestalux! Here is a link that might be useful: Casia fistula just won't grow!
...See More
? About Cassia
Q
Comments (14)
Hi Anyone else growing Cassia roxburghii?? Red cassia. Have two remaing started from seed in 01 that limped along until this year . Has grown more in the last year than it did since sprouting lol, Is this a tree ,bush eventual size and when should it flower?? seems to be getting a single trunk which suggests it's going to get MUCH bigger. Now about 15/15 and seems to have somewhat of a weeping habit. Looks much like the above pix but MUCH finer leaves and single trunk. Has yet to flower for me so no flowers of course. Can't find much info on the net particularly about habits . It's growth rate is beginning to scare me a bit. and bot plants are only 3 feet apart. Much to late to move them I'm sure .. Thanks for any enlightenment you can share. gary
...See More
Cassia fistula x javanica. Grafting or air layering?
Q
Comments (1)
The two procedures are NOT the same. in grafting a "bud" is "attached" to the trunk/ of a tree & the bud becomes a part of the tree & grows into the desired plant Air Layering on the limb several aproaches are use ... the end result is that root form on the tip part of the branch which is then removed & planted...... yes both result in plants with the same genes as the parent.
...See More
Rooting Cassia bicapsularis (Christmas cassia)
Q
Comments (20)
Mine has never ever self seeded. New trunks only come from the base. The branches on my S. capsularis also grow horizontally! current pic. lateral & sprawling. current pic. the grass plant started blooming purple plumes at the same time as S. Capsularis. beautiful! A few years ago, it was shapes like an upright water fountain. I could literally walk underneath it. old pic. quarterly pruned to get a fountain shape 2013 old pic. Heavy pruning to get a fountain shape 2013 Hurrican Matthew took down more than half it because a carpenter ant nest had loosened the soil at the base. Wind cracked roots in half. Matthew also took the white wooden picket fence too. So, Now I'm letting her grow like crazy to reestablish strong center stalks. In a few months, Ill do a hard prune, removing anything lower than 6 feet which grows lateral, to get back to fountain shape. Sorry to gush. I'm sure you can tell she's my absolute favorite! I await her November blooms every year. Tell me about yours :)
...See More
alisonoz_gw
9 years ago
I hate to say it, but I would not have chosen that tree for your yard. It is potentially very big - big enough to cause root damage both in your yard and to the neighbour's driveway.
You will also be needing to attend to overhang into the neighbour's as well as dealing with the mess of fallen leaves as they are semi-deciduous in Qld.
I also don't know that they respond so well to pruning that you can "shape" them.
That said, the GC city council gardens have a few Cassia brewsteri (or some cultivar) growing along the entrance driveway and they have managed by constant trimming of the lower branches to get them to form a nice "avenue".
And I do LIKE the tree - in fact it's one of the most spectacular flowering trees... in the right spot.
I planted one in my front yard years ago but had dreadful problems with branches being ring-barked by insects and then infested with some tiny white gnat-like things that were stinging the new leaves and causing them to shrivel and fall off.
Eventually I gave mine the chop to ground level but as I didn't poison the stump it shot some new growth and I let it grow back. I can say from that experience that lack of a single leader wasn't a problem for growth and eventual flowering, though I suspect some of the uprights are a bit sappier and weaker.
that wouldn't be a problem with yours, but as I say, I would re-think your choice while it's still young enough to remove.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES How to Prune Your Flowering Shrubs for the Best Blooms

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Less is often more when it comes to properly pruning flowering shrubs. Here’s what to do and why

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Feathery Cassia for Fragrance in Arid Gardens

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Aromatic and golden, this shrub’s flowers enliven dry, sunny landscapes — and its lacy gray-green foliage looks great too

SOUTHWEST GARDENING Southwest Gardener's May Checklist

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Let May's warm temperatures guide your edible and flowering garden plantings, and don't forget to protect and prune your picks

GARDENING GUIDES Southwest Gardener's April Checklist

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Welcome the return of roses and herbs, and consider a new use for vines as you rejoice in your newly green spring garden

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Late-Winter and Early-Spring Bloomers for the West

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Tired of waiting for spring to arrive? Try these drought-tolerant, flowering plants for color that starts in late winter

SAVING WATER Xeriscape Gardens: How to Get a Beautiful Landscape With Less Water

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Conserve water and make gardening much easier with the xeriscape approach’s 7 principles

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Drought-Tolerant Shrubs That Thrive in Full Sun and Reflected Heat

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Got a hot spot in your garden where plants often die? Try these tough shrubs that add beauty while shrugging off the heat

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Create a Cottage-Style Garden

By Claudia De Yong Garden Design

If you like an abundance of plants — and visits from birds, bees and butterflies — this may be the style of yard for you

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Valentine Bush for Heartfelt Winter Color

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Passionate red flowers from winter through spring add gorgeous color to bare Southwest landscapes

SHRUBS Great Design Plant: Baja Fairy Duster, a Scarlet Stunner

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Bright red puffball flowers are the main attraction here; consider the minimal care a bonus

Sponsored