Anyone heard of cutting a royal empress tree right to the ground before it blooms for the 2nd year? We live in Connecticut and the 'stick' (right now) is approximately 2 1/2 feet tall.
Any input is welcome! Thanks guys
I have a number of them and never touched them with pruners except to take off the little brances that were poking me in the eye when I mowed the lawn.
The trunks a nearly hollow. It would seem best to leave them be.
Hi AllAround,
Since you say Any input is welcome!, I would suggest one pruning. That would be with a shovel at the roots to remove it. These trees have become a problem in many areas and as they have seeded into natural areas.
Newt
Thanks Newt!, If I was to dig it up, do you have any suggestions of another type of tree that I should plant?
-I like the weeping willows, weeping cherry's, pine trees, and white birch to name my favorites. (I know what you're going to say about the weeping willow - they need to be placed away from sidewalks and foundation)
(We also planted a bradford pear and a hybrid poplar last year)
AllAround, you are very welcome! Now a confession. I started answering this and got distracted, so I saved my answer on my computer. Then I forgot you! I'm soooo sorry.
I know you are going to think I'm a grouch, but I had to giggle when you named the trees you like and the ones you planted. So, I'll start with a critique of the planted ones.
Bradford pear is considered a junk tree by arborists. It's weak limbed with poor structure, so be sure to prune it or have it properly pruned by a certified arborist for good limb structure. It's also seeded into the wild and is becoming a pest in many areas, including here in Maryland. Here's info on these trees.
http://www.emmitsburg.net/gardens/ar...ford_pears.htm
Poplars are fast growing trees, and as such, are weak limbed as well. They are also short lived. They too should be properly pruned to develop a stronger limb structure.
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/POPALBA.pdf
I too love weeping willow aka Salix, but they tend to be messy trees with lots of limb and leaf litter. They are short lived and should be planted 100 feet or more from a structure.
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/SALSPPA.pdf
So, are you frustrated with me yet?
Weeping cherry is a beautiful tree, especially if you can get one that isn't grafted and is grown on it's own rootstock.
http://www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs/TM.../pr_tella.html
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/PRUSUBB.pdf
There are some interesting pine trees, some are unusual if you want something that is an accent in the landscape. Here's some to think about. You can always google and click on 'Images'. Try using the botanical names.
Pinus nigra aka Austrian Pine, aka Black pine.
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/PINNIGA.pdf
Pinus bungeana aka Lacebark Pine
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/PINBUNA.pdf
Pinus densiflora aka Japanese Red Pine
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/PINDENA.pdf
You seem to like weeping trees. Try a google search with terms such as:
weeping pines
weeping fir
weeping cypress
and click on 'Images'.
So what is my favorite tree? Sourwood aka Lilly of the Valley tree aka Oxydendron arboreum. It has 3 seasons of interest.
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/c..._arboreum.html
http://www.floridata.com/ref/O/oxydendr.cfm
Newt
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