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California Gardening

Ray Hartman Ceanothus

15 years ago

I need some advice. I want to train my young Ray Hartman Ceanothus into a small tree. I bought a Ray Hartman Ceanothus and planted it two weeks ago. It is about 12 inches tall. It has a main "trunk" arising from the ground about 3 or 4 inches tall. Then the main trunk branches off into three stems, probably from a heading cut. The three stems originate from the trunk at about the same point; the three stems are not spaced out vertically from each other.

I wasn't really happy with the plant when I bought it but it was the best one they had at the time. Now, however, the nursery has 20 new plants, so I could go and buy a better one if they have one.

Three questions:

1. Would it be more structurally-sound to train for a single-trunked Ray Hartman tree or a multi-trunked tree?

2. If I train the plant to be a single trunked tree, would it be better to go and buy a new Ray Hartman that hasn't had a heading cut done to it yet (one that is a single upright stem still)?

3. If I train the plant to be a multi-trunked tree, should the trunks all arise from ground level or from a short main trunk? And would the Ray Hartman that I already have (with the three stems originating from the same point on the trunk) lead to a structurally weak tree?

I've read my pruning books, but they really don't get specific enough for this situation. I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks...

Featured Answer

kristincarol

15 years ago

I planted two of that variety about 18 years ago and both are gone now. The first one went within the first 7 years and the last one declined over a longer period of time finally falling about two years ago. I live within 1/2 mile of the ocean, which I think is probably what did them in.

They were easily trained into trees by cutting back the "weeping" foliage, but it was a constant chore to keep them upright.

One of the best things about the them was that they afforded me the opportunity to observe a woodpecker up close quite a few times. The pattern of holes they made on the trunk and limbs was one of the most beautiful things I have seen. It really pained me to stuff those into my woodstove.

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Comments (6)

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
15 years ago
My guess is your ceanothus is a cutting started plant and unless the cutting was a tip cutting all the plants will be as yours. Yours can be trained into tree form perfectly well, but if you would prefer a tip cutting, you may find one among the new stock. Ray Hartman is a fine tree OR large shrub up to a possible 20 feet. If grown as a shrub branches starting close to the ground look better. Al
buddyben
Original Author
15 years ago
Al, you were right about all the new nursury plants being cuttings. None of them seemed any better than what I had already planted.
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Just getting back to this now. The plant on he left is a wonderful thriving but unruly-looking lemon tree. I’m not sure the variety but it has been producing delicious juicy lemons since December (all our friends and neighbors have been well supplied!). I’m not sure whether I should prune it for appearance since it’s thriving so well. The green “stuff” on the right is a big mess of things - in winter we discovered a nice flowing quince behind, covered with brambles, an old grape vine, and underneath some aloes and some yucky invasive species. There’s some kind of fruit tree in there maybe peach or plum but it’s gone wild, and an apple tree sapling planted in front. All in about 10x10’. We removed some of the brambles and invasive but for now left the rest so we don’t have to look at the neighbor’s deck there. We ended up planting a toyon, a coffeeberry and a Ray Hartman along that fence line. The lemon tree will stay but I hope to gradually prune back the sad stone-fruit tree and remove it as the toyon replaces it, and I should probably transplant the apple tree and the grapevine to a more suitable location this fall after they go dormant. We had too much more pressing to do on the house last fall/winter. Will I likely kill them if I try to transplant?
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cindy_l
15 years ago
I have 2 Ray Hartman Ceanothus in tree form. The were purchased that way, from Summerwinds. One has thrived and is now in bloom, the other has struggled but recently has produced some new leaves.
User
15 years ago
The good thing about Ray Hartman is that it grows so fast that, truthfully, it will grow out of just about any mistake in a year.

I seem to remember when we had a Ray Hartman, we let it grow however it wanted for a couple of years, and then shaped it--that way it was able to get off to a strong start and we were better able to see its natural structure.

However, if you currently have three potential "leaders," you could cut off all but one in the hope that it would require less drastic surgery.
buddyben
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks to all who responded.

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