How to stake weeping conifers?

16 years ago

I purchased a "weeping Colorado Blue Spruce" marked picea pungens "Pendula". I am looking for info on how to care for this tree. I would like to keep it staked so it grows straight but am not sure the best method to do this. It currently has green plastic ties from the nursery attached to a wooden stake but they look very tight.

I also have a picea omorika "Pendula Bruns" and I am looking for similar info. It has been planted for two years. I am wondering if I should keep it staked or will it grow straight on it's own. Thanks in advance for your help.

Featured Answer

dcsteg

16 years ago

Since I posted Junipers on this thread I will focus on the technique I use for staking them.

For staking I buy the green plastic coated aluminum stakes. They come in various sizes and are dimpled to prevent tape from sliding. I use stretch tape in securing leaders to stake.

I always use staked conifers for focal points of interest in the garden. Give it some thought, placement is important.

I aways buy1 gal. potted plants. Pick the ones with 3-4 strong leaders. After planted place stake as close to center as possible. Inch the stake down through potted material to avoid root damage. Then drive it down stopping at the height you want you plant to grow. Pick your 3-4 strong leaders and stretch tape them to your stake. As the conifer grows you will need to add and adjust tape. When it reaches the desired height let it weep and do its own thing.

With single leader conifers the same technique is used. I have posted a single leader Cupressus g. 'Raywoods Weeping'. that has been staked to 6ft. If not staked it would have been laying on the ground a long time ago.

Dave

{{gwi:751807}}

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Comments (11)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
why would you buy a WEEPING plant.. and insist on making it grow straight??????

the only reason to make it grow upwards .. is to give it some height from which it will weep back to the ground ...

the problem is that the conifer industry used the wrong term in the name tag... it should be more properly called prostrate .... it will crawl along the ground for the most part, occasionally going upwards .... it is not pendulous, in the sense that it grows up and its branches weep down ...

here is an example of what yours will look like in 10 or 15 years ....
{{gwi:728060}}

now... take a good stake .... and some clothes line.. preferably all cotton ... and tie the thing up .. i like the thick line, so i can tie and retie the thing a couple times a year .... also.. all cotton will rot off if you forget to release it eventually ...

you will not get it to grow straight.. but you can 'suggest' upward growth ....

if you want a straight picea pungens.. try to find hoopsi
{{gwi:677451}}

p. o. pedula bruns.. will grow straight up .. and its limbs will weep .. this is different from a prostrate plant like p.p. pendula ... go figure on using the same name for two forms of trees ... someone ought to have thought that one out....

try the ACS website for more info on the two conifers you have .. since you have the latin names... look for the database ... and the tutorial on conifers for a general overview [conifer introduction in left panel] ..

good luck

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: ACS
newlife2
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Ken. Definately confusing for the consumer that does not have alot of experience with these trees. Both trees were staked to grow upward when I purchased them so I was under the impression that this would be how they would grow. Your pictures are very helpfull and clarify things.
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nemoooo
16 years ago
Darn I want a Hoopsi! Can't find one though. :(

Ken, how much growth per year does the hoopsi put on? Fast grower, or is it slow?
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
hoopsi .. about a foot a year ... try girards nursery for mail order ....

pendula is staked up ... to make it a mound ... just for 'line of sight' ... if totally flat.. you wouldnt see it at a distance ....

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: girard's
dcsteg
16 years ago
You can stake them. There is nothing wrong in doing that if you want some height. I have several staked because I want that special look that can only be achieved by this method.

The two photos happen to be Junipers but the same applies to all weeping or prostrate forms.

Dave
Juniperus c. 'Blue Pacific" Staked
{{gwi:751798}}

Prostrate
{{gwi:751800}}

Juniperus p. 'Greenmound' Staked
{{gwi:751802}}

Prostrate
{{gwi:751805}}
karinl
16 years ago
Fabulous, Dave! That's one of those things that I occasionally think of doing but never get around to. I have a perfect candidate in a Holger's juniper (don't recall its latin handle). But ouch, they're prickly to work with.

Another thing that can be done, and that I do get around to (because it involves shopping, which I'm good at, vs. staking, which I'm not) is growing pendulous plants in pots. I have a Blue Rug juniper growing in a tall planter that is beginning to drape quite promisingly (the juniper, not the pot). Off the edge of rock walls, raised beds, etc also provides some scope for artistic drooping.

KarinL
dcsteg
16 years ago
Hello KarinL,

Yes the Holger's Juniper can be a tough customer to deal with. Typical squamata foliage. I love the bicolor foliage this juniper produces. I haven't seen it for sale in KC so I will probably have to mail order it.

I use a glove made by Atlas. Fits almost like second skin and you can get in close to the sharply pointed foliage to be able to work with it.

For a really cool effect I plan on putting the staked version in with the prostate form . The two combined will give the effect of a nice up right weeping juniper with the addition of a skirt. Put this combination close to a wall or over hang will produce a stunning effect. I should have a picture ready to go next year.

Dave
Pamchesbay
16 years ago
Dave:

KarinL is right. That is fantastic. I would love to experiment with this procedure, but have no experience with staking and don't know where to start (except to find a glove made by Atlas!).

Do you allow the plants to get to a particular size before you stake or do you stake very early? Do you have a step-by-step procedure you follow?

Pam
conifers
16 years ago
Professional.

Dax
Pamchesbay
16 years ago
Dave: Beautiful. The cupressus g. 'Raywoods Weeping' is a show-stopper.

Thanks for the steps, advice about placement, and the photos. I'll hit the nursery tomorrow.

Pam

How to stake weeping conifers?

dcsteg

Comments (11)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

newlife2
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How to stake weeping conifers?

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newlife2Original Author

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