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Fallen Tree - any hope?

15 years ago

We have a mature Turkey Fig tree that has fallen over - too much weight on one side. It's big enough that we don't think it can be stood up again.

I just read that a tree that is winter killed will regrow from the roots.

If we take the tree out any opinions on whether the roots left in the ground will re-sprout? Any opinion on whether the existing roots (it they'll grow) would be stronger than planting a new 1 year old tree from a nursery?

We're in San Francisco, the tree was a heavy producer, I think my error was not trimming it and letting it set too heavy a second crop of fruit but we've only been here a year and I didn't want to prune until I'd seen the tree go through a full season.

thanks,

Al Sharff

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Comments (7)

dieseler
15 years ago
Al, im sure others here will post and help also, one thing for sure it can be saved if all else fails you can cut it low enough to where it will support itself and it will continue to grow . Course whatever you have to do to protect tree in winter also.
Martin
pitangadiego
15 years ago
Leave a stump and it will regrow. The more you leave (branches) the sooner it will be back to full size. You might need to have a pipe or heavy, stake to help hold in in place. However, if it fell over because the roots are rotting away, it might well be time for a new tree.
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User
15 years ago
Al, I am in Menlo Park, just south of you, I can come up just about any time and help you evaluate the situation. My first impulse is to save as much of the tree as possible. From your description it sounds like a strong tree with good roots.....there is something beautifull about an older tree I am willing to help as much as I can if it can be saved. Go to my page and send me an email. Joseph
ottawan_z5a
15 years ago
Fallen Tree - any hope?
If all fails, think of the many small hopes that can grow big from the cuttings (eventually).
sharff
Original Author
15 years ago
From your above responses knowing that there might be some hope of saving the tree I've taken some pictures so you can get a better idea of the condition of the tree.

They're at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/alsharff/FigTree#

Thanks for your responses.

Al Sharff
loslunasfarms
15 years ago
It does not seem to late for 2 options.

Option 1. Serverely prune the tree and pretty much leave prune very long major branches back to about 2 feet long with no minor branches. The tree should look pretty bare at this point, with very few leaves to catch additional wind. At this point I would prop the tree up to a few fence posts installed to keep it up. This method may work, but the problem is the weak root system, and it may be prone to blow over again.

Option 2.

If it were my tree I would cut the tree off leaving only a foot worth of trunk. I would also cover the entire trunk with dirt or potting soil and keep it moist. This will help the remaining roots worry about getting restablished rather that support the top of a tree that will prob die anyways. When the tree suckers I would then reprune to train a strong sucker to be my main trunk.

My two cents.
mrhappy
15 years ago
You might even take the trunk or large limbs and bury them in places you want to have fig trees. I would bet a dollar that they would root.

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