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California Gardening

What kind of tree is this? How do I prune it?

7 years ago

This used to be a beautiful spring pink flowering tree. But now it looks like it's almost dead and I haven't seen it flower in years. I'm not sure if the issue is whether the bougainvillea has taken over, lack of water or age.

The tree is a focal point on my deck. What should I do to clean and shape it up?

Featured Answer

gyr_falcon

7 years ago

I had a large one in a pot that failed some scratch tests and I thought it had died, but my husband talked me into planting it in the ground, and the dang thing came back. But now, a few more years later, it is struggling and half-leafless, and beginning to resemble the tree in your photo. It gets a decent amount of water, too. I've never been very impressed with the flowers (ours is Prunus cerasifera 'Krauter Vesuvius') but the foliage really adds to the landscape.

I hate to replace it with the same species, considering their many health issues. But I cannot seem to come up with an idea for a suitable replacement with that level of dark foliage impact. I'm open to ideas, if anyone has suggestions!

Zagyzebra, I hope your tree continues to improve with the additional irrigation, and surprises you with some lush foliage next year. After my experience, I wouldn't be surprised. Good luck.

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Comments (10)

macranthos
7 years ago
Could it be a thundercloud plum? Could you get closer... Like 6 inches away?
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JXBrown (Sunset 24, N San Diego County)
7 years ago
It looks like a purple plum to me too. The boug isn't helping any, that's for sure.
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Babka NorCal 9b
7 years ago
Looks like a dead purple leaf plum. Have you given it water during these drought years? They are not long lived. We replaced ours after 35 years. What did it look like last year? They go slowly into the night....

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zagyzebra
Original Author
7 years ago
Amazingly, we just discovered tiny new leaves and branches extending off of what look like dead branches. Our best guess is that it was left unwatered during drought years, which stressed it. The property was abandoned for about 3-4 years. Then last year, we installed drip irrigation everywhere. It is just now showing evidence of life, which we hadn't even noticed until just this minute.
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fireballsocal
7 years ago
They don't like our heat and sun here in Inland San Bernardino. Tons of those planted as accent trees but are half or more dead. Lots of dun damaged trunks from lack of a protective whitewash.
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hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
7 years ago
short-lived no matter what you do.
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hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
7 years ago
One of the black-foliaged Lagerstroemia are a possibility, IF you can find one.
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zagyzebra thanked hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
gyr_falcon
7 years ago
I saw some just a couple of hours ago at HD, hoovb! Was it you I asked to report back on how well it grows? I've only seen the shrub form, though, so was thinking it would need to go in a different location. Although a tall shrub might be ok in the tree's location, a 10-15' tree really would be better due to the location on the far side of a shed and understory plants.
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zagyzebra
Original Author
7 years ago
macranthos - Sorry it took me until July 4 to post a photo (been busy). At any rate, yes, if you can id what kind of a plum this is, I would appreciate it! Here's a closer pic:
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