Question about support of J. scopulorum 'Tolleson's Blue Weeping'

16 years ago

I purchased a J. scopulorum 'Tolleson's Blue Weeping' at the end of summer in 2007 from a local nursery. It was originally listed at $250 but by the time I found it there was a branch broken and it was leaning over a fence in the back of the nursery. They let me have it for $50 without a guarantee. It was about 12' tall with a 3" wide trunk and other than some minor damage it seemed to have suffered no shock when planted. It was tied to a cedar stake, which I (carefully) sawed off at ground level as I could not otherwise remove it and didn't want to further damage the tree. I had two stakes supporting the tree until about November 2007, when I removed them as the tree seemed to be doing fine without them.

Ice storm #1 - early December 2007 - I wake up to find tree has fallen over and is frozen to the ground. I waited about a week for a thaw, then put a stake on one side.

Ice storm #2 - January 2008 - Tree falls over again, this time the other way. I waited a few days and put another stake on the other side again.

The tree is now staked on two sides and really has nowhere to fall. It appears to be doing fine and didn't break anything in the "flopping-overs."

How long should I leave it staked now? I'm thinking a year? It was in a small container, relative to its size, but had what looked to be a well developed root system when I planted it. I can't seem to find much information on what to do when your tree falls over (multiple times) but seems alive and fine. Any advice from the pros?

Thanks,

Elizabeth

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Comment (1)

dcsteg
16 years ago
I'm no pro but I'll tell you what I know.

This is a very difficult conifer to ship because of its unusual growing habit. It usually arrives at its destination with some broken branches. You purchased yours the same way most of them are sold....with broken branches.

An ice storm of any significance will lay a young plant on the ground as trunk girth is not in proportion with its height. I an presently growing one that is 16 ft/4.88m. As trunk girth is still not significant to support its height so I stake it every winter because I don't want to deal with the heavy ice loads that will lay it down. When I determine it has sufficient girth I will end this practice. When you stake, stake loosely so it has freedom to move. This conifer is always under potted and most of them are spindly and ratty looking. As they settle in and begin to grow the changes are very dramatic and they become very beautiful in appearance.

I assume you separated and pruned the undesirable roots out to encourage proper root growth as all potted conifers with any size are root bound. If you didn't it will eventually take a tumble usually due to high winds.

You made a great purchase. This conifer always attracts a crowd in any garden.

Good luck,

Dave

Dave
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Question about support of J. scopulorum 'Tolleson's Blue Weeping'

Comment (1)

dcsteg

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