my poor, crowded honey locust

13 years ago

I need advice about my locust tree that is leaning and lop-sided. The tree is about 10 years old, and was crowded until a few months ago by a large pear tree (the grafted pear tree was past its time and was removed recently).

The locust trunk is curved and leaning and its branches are growing to one side only, obviously due to years of blockage by the larger pear tree. Hopefully the attached pictures are effective in showing this.

Is there a way to bring this tree back to a relatively normal, even proportion? I'd like to get the trunk growing straight but more importantly get the branches to grow back on that bare side and fill out. Will this happen naturally, or is there something I can do (ie: cable/wire/anchor/pruning)? Thank you!

(OK, I could not figure out where/how to upload pictures; I'm usually good at technical stuff, but... Can someone help me out with that first please? Thanks again)

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Comments (8)

poaky1
13 years ago
I can't help with the pix but I,m fairly sure your tree will even out. I just had to remove a large part of a dwarf maple and it looks lopsided but I would emagine that dormant buds will take over and even it out in time.
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
13 years ago
On posting pix...in a nutshell...
1. Open a Photobucket or other pix sharing account. Its free.
2. Download your pix there. 800x600 (or there abouts) is a good size. Not too big, not too small. You select the size B-4 downloading or edit the size later.
3.Copy the HTML code and paste it into your post. When you preview your post, you'll see the pix.

tj
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It looks as though you, or whoever drew the plan, mostly followed/paralleled the track of the Comcast, and maybe phone lines, (are the electric wires in front, or is it also in the back? If in front, does it run along the driveway into the garage?) as you decided where your SW bed was going to go - very clever. It would seem as though the planned spot for the oak (which I assume is replacing the HL next to the patio, since you didn't say) will be far enough from the lines not to have a problem. One thing you might definitely do, ASAP, is call both the power, phone and Comcast people and have someone come and mark where the lines run, unless the marks are still visible. That way, your memory maybe being off by a foot or three, there will be no nasty surprises. They'll do it for free - it's usually a "call-before-you-dig program", or some such name - since it saves mightily on their repair time! Digging the holes ahead of delivery is not a bad idea, although the crew coming to plant may have to do more work on them. YOu don't have to do it, esp. if you are paying for the job and not for the hour. If all they are doing is delivering, then having the holes, and having them deliver the trees next to the holes would be good. It wouldn't hurt, if the man (or woman) power is available, to place the plants in their planned spots, and take a few minutes to look at them from several angles, including inside and upstairs. You may see some minor tweaking that you can do, even at that stage. It's a LOT easier to re-dig a hole than to try to move a tree, or to kick yourself for the next umpty-ump years about how that tree would have been better over there, just a bit. A future tree near the play area/structure is an excellent idea. I am not sure a Sycamore is the best bet, as they can get very large, can be messy, and, if a friend's experience is common, can cause allergies in some people. If you do decide you want to put a tree there, start another thread, as this one is covering enough topics, and confusing readers enough, already!
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Thanks for the replies everyone. One of the things that I do like about these trees is how they tend to grow twisty, gnarly trunks and side branches. So if this one is a little bit odd looking, I won't mind too much--so long as it fills out. I do have a bit of experience with pruning and I think I can take off the dead and spare the living, so I am going to give it a try in the fall. The worst that could happen is that I would have to cut the sucker off after a year or two. I was also considering a fertilizing treatment of some kind since I am eager to get a little more shade on my front yard and the front side of my house. My dad had that done to some of his trees recently and had good results. I have never done it and have heard that it can be harmful to fertilize transplants. But I am thinking I'll give it another year or two to extend its roots and then try a fertilizing treatment.
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gardningrandma
13 years ago
To post a photo here, go into the main topic listing in the trees forum. Look up at the top for an itty bitty link that says "Gallery". Click on it. You can upload your photos there but you have to be using MSIE.
chillyoda
Original Author
13 years ago
I will try both suggestions for photo posting, and I thank you for your optimism, poaky1.
However, before getting too happy, I want to get these pics up and see if it makes a difference of opinion...
Thanks again!
chillyoda
Original Author
13 years ago
Woo-hoo! Success! Unfortunately I had to re-post my entire message though - I apologize for taking up double space, but I had no other recourse.
I wish I could have posted all 4 pictures that I took, but it only allowed for one photo to be attached to the posting. Hopefully that one will demonstrate the problem enough. Thanks for your help with the photos!
But PLEASE refer to the new posting if anyone (else) would like to give me advice about fixing my honey locust! Thanks so much!
JCY
gardningrandma
13 years ago
to everyone else, the new post is in the gallery.

I can't see the pic all that well at the moment because sun is beaming through the window and making it hard to see anything but unless the tree looks like it's going to fall on a structure I'd give it a few years. It will start to grow some branches on that side now that it has some sunlight there. Some pruning may be helpful. It usually is with honeylocusts as they tend to need some cleanup to improve branch structure. You would want to call out an experienced and reputable certified arborist for recommendations.
alexander3_gw
13 years ago
I really think it will fill out on that side, and the leader may grow straighter now, but don't expect the existing portion of the trunk to bend itself back to straight and vertical.
chillyoda
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you so much for the advice. I will definitely have an expert take a look, but it's good to know that most folks think it will even out a bit. And even if it takes a few years, that's good news!

my poor, crowded honey locust

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poaky1

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱

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