When storms strike, along with damage to property such as houses, power lines, and commercial buildings, they may cause damage to trees in the urban forest. There are six main types of storm damage to trees: 1) blow-over, 2) stem failure, 3) crown twist, 4) root failure, 5) branch failure, and 6) lightning. Each type is the result of a complex and interactive mix of tree problems and climate.
Damage is often relatively minor with only the smallest braches of the tree being injured. Usually damages of this type result in little or no permanent damage to the tree. All that is required is clean up of the broken twigs and branches and perhaps some light pruning to restore a pleasing shape.
WHAT TO DO IF A STORM DAMAGED MY TREE?
Topics
tree damage
storm damage
spotting storm damage
A roar of thunder, an electrifying strike of lighting or a vicious gust of wind—while we stay indoors, our trees are forced to weather the storm.
We already do our best to keep trees in tip-top shape, so they’re protected from storm damage. But what if they still fall victim to the elements?
Whether light or severe, storm damage to trees can be alarming. Read on to find essential steps for inspection and repair if your tree is injured during a storm.
REPAIRING STORM DAMAGED TREES
First and foremost, your safety is the top priority. If storm damage left large hanging branches or broken power lines, call your arborist to assess the situation immediately. That limb could fall at any moment, and broken power lines could still be live, so avoid them at all costs.
HOW TO INSPECT A STORM DAMAGED TREE
After a storm, walk around your tree and look for these danger signs:
Hanging or broken branches
Splits in tree branches
Broken or uneven tree top, called the canopy
Decay, holes, splits or cavities in tree trunk
Heaving soil at the base of the tree
Pulled or visible root system
Uprooted or toppled tree
Entire tree leaning
If you spot any of these signs, it’s usually best to phone a professional because your tree poses a risk and could fall or break at any time. Use your discretion, and know a certified arborist can help with every step of the process. They can clean up storm debris, repair damaged spots by pruning and determine if your tree needs to be removed.
Or if you’re curious, learn more about the most common tree injuries and what to do next below.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FIND A BROKEN TREE LIMB
Prune small, broken branches to prevent further damage. Pests see an opening in the tree as an invitation to settle in, which can be especially harmful as your tree needs extra strength to heal.
Do not attempt to prune large branches or branches that are too high up.
Prune broken limbs back to the point where they join a larger branch. If there are strips of bark protruding at the breaking point, remove the branch and smooth the wood with a saw.
For injuries like those in #2 and #3, call a professional arborist, so the tree heals correctly and no one gets hurt.
HOW TO SAVE A SPLIT TREE
Minor splits on branches that are not hanging or otherwise deformed should heal on their own. Think of these as small paper cuts that will be better before you know it!
If the split looks like a gash and is still connected to an unharmed branch, smooth the bark out to help the healing process. Think of these splits as more serious injuries that need stitches to heal.
Severe splits on larger branches or the trunk aren’t an easy fix. These splits are like if you broke your finger and cut it badly–a bandage just won’t cut it at this point. You need to go to the doctor, and the same is true for your tree.
For splits listed in #2 and #3–or if you’re not sure how severe the split is–it’s always better to phone for help sooner than later.
WHAT TO DO IF THE TOP OF THE TREE BROKE OFF
Do not top the tree–even if limbs in the tree’s canopy broke off. Cutting off the top of a tree can significantly alter its structure and leave it vulnerable to infestation.
Assess whether most of the tree’s crown is still intact.
If at least 50 percent of your tree’s canopy is undamaged, it can usually stay afloat–with help from your local arborist. But if your tree lost more than 50 percent of its top, it may have to be removed.
Your arborist can give you a definite answer and provide next steps after seeing the tree in person.
Pruning, sometimes referred to as trimming, is essentially a horticultural practice of altering a tree’s form. When pruning, you cut away overgrown, diseased, or damaged parts of the tree. These include structurally unstable and unproductive branches, limbs, buds, and even roots. Cutting these parts encourages healthy tree growth.
Landscape trees are not the only things you can prune. You can also prune fruit trees, garden plants, woody plants, shrubs, and more. If carried out properly, pruning can result in ample foliage, flowers, and even fruit. However, if done wrong, you may damage the trees and plants for the long haul. Pruning is a crucial silvicultural and horticultural method that requires in-depth knowledge.
WHAT IS PRUNING? THE IMPORTANCE, BENEFITS AND METHODS OF PRUNING
Topics
pruning
how to prune
pruning benefits
In the forest, trees are free to play by their own rules. They can spread their limbs out, stretch their branches up as high as they’ll grow, and send old, weak limbs down to the forest floor in a freefall.
The trees in our backyards and along our streets don’t have quite as much freedom–and for good reason. Of course, we want our trees to look natural while also ensuring they grow strong and don’t become a safety risk.
…and that’s where pruning comes in! While you may have heard the term and know it has something to do with trimming your trees, read on to learn exactly what pruning is, why we do it and how it’s done.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DIFFERENT TYPES OF PRUNING
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF TREE PRUNING?
Pruning is when you selectively remove branches from a tree. The goal is to remove unwanted branches, improve the tree’s structure, and direct new, healthy growth.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PRUNING?
Pruning is one of best things you can do for your trees. A proper prune is both an investment in the long-term health of your plants and in the overall look and safety of your property.
When you trim your trees, you get all these benefits!
Say farewell to dead, broken or damaged branches.
Save your property from potential damage from fallen branches.
When you remove old branches, you give trees the green light to put out healthy, new growth.
Train trees to grow on your terms so that branches won’t hang over the roof or stretch into power lines.
Give trees a clean, polished look that elevates your whole landscape.
Set the tree up with a good foundation for long-term health.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OR METHODS OF PRUNING?
Different tree goals call for different tree trimming methods.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common types:
Reducing density removes limbs all the way back to their branch of origin. It’s a method used to free up a full canopy so that more sunlight can come through.
Maintaining health is like fine-tuning a tree. Simple cuts are used to clear out dead, diseased, and damaged limbs to give the tree a polished look.
Size management cuts reduce a tree’s height or width. This method typically shortens branches that are inching into utility lines or reduces a wide-spread tree.
Structural (subordination) cuts could involve one or more of the above methods to improve a plant’s structure and long-term health.
Sometimes, it is hard to decide to remove dead wood from a tree, especially if you do not know how to identify it and unsure if pruning will help the tree or not. Cutting off dead branches is good in most cases, but you still need to know how to do it safely.
Dead branches do not necessarily mean a dead tree. However, if a branch is still connected to the tree, the plant might still try to use resources to revive that branch.
Dead branches are not helpful to the tree as they might prevent it from healing properly and, at the same time, allow pests and diseases to invade the tree. Think of the bark of a tree as your skin. If you’re hurt, the open wound paves the way for pathogens to come through. That’s exactly what happens when a tree’s bark is exposed.
DOES CUTTING OFF DEAD BRANCHES HELP A TREE?
Topics
pruning
pruning questions
trimming and pruning
It may sound counterintuitive at first, but cutting (or pruning) your tree helps it in so many ways.
Think of it like a haircut. Sure, you lose some hair initially, but, your hair shape looks instantly better. And by removing split ends, your hair will break less while the rest of your hair looks thicker and shinier!
It’s essentially the same when your arborist prunes your trees. You reduce the chance that they break while helping trees look and grow better!
More detail on why you should prune your tree on a regular basis below.
WHY CUTTING OFF DEAD BRANCHES HELPS TREES (AND YOU!)
“If you want to grow a healthy tree that can live for a long time, pruning is a must,” says Jason Parker of Davey’s North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania office. “Specifically, cutting off dead or diseased branches helps keep you and your home safe.”
Here are the top three reasons why you need to prune your trees.
1. PRUNE FOR SAFETY.
Pruning removes deadwood that could otherwise fly fall during storms. That’s why pruned trees are less likely to have limbs or branches break during storms, which helps protect your property from damage. And while pruning, arborists conduct a regular checkup to make sure your tree is healthy.
Plus, think about this. A mature sweetgum tree can grow up to 75 feet tall and weigh 5,200 pounds. When healthy, that tree continues to save you money and deliver beauty.
When unhealthy and neglected, that same tree could do tremendous damage to your home in a nasty storm–especially because it weighs nearly twice as much as a Honda Civic. In fact, the National Storm Damage Center estimates that in severe weather damaged or downed trees account for more than $1 billion in property damage in the U.S. each year.
The more you invest in your tree’s long-term health, the less likely it will do damage in a storm.
2. PRUNE FOR GOOD HEALTH.
This is especially important when your tree is young – typically a few years after planting. Then, have an arborist train your young tree so that it develops a sound, sturdy branch structure. That way, you’ll proactively reduce risk!
When your tree is more mature, your arborist will often prune your tree to thin its dense canopy or remove weak branch structures. By eliminating excessive or competing branches, your tree’s shape improves. Plus, you increase the amount of sunlight and air that can circulate through your tree’s canopy. More sunshine means more photosynthesis and growth!
One study even found that pruning helps trees’ health. Trees that were not pruned for more than 10 years were in 10 percent worse condition than pruned trees, according to this study.
3. PRUNE FOR BEAUTY, BUCKS AND A BUMPER CROP.
Arborists also prune trees to help maintain or enhance their natural shape. Some arborists think of tree trimming as an art form. They want to help every tree look as good as it possibly can.
When they do that, they help ensure your tree continues to benefit your home! One healthy tree in front of your home can increase the home’s sale price by an average of $7,130, found the PNW Research Station.
And the good times don’t end there! When you prune fruit trees, you help them grow bigger fruit on a more consistent basis. Say hello to more juicy fruit in your future!
CAN TREE BRANCHES GROW BACK?
When pruned properly, removed tree branches will not grow back. Instead, the tree will grow what looks like a callous over the pruning cut, which helps protect the tree from decay and infection. Because trees heal all on their own, you don’t have to use a pruning sealer!
But when pruned improperly, branches can grow back. If your tree was topped, you’ll see small little twigs growing at the top of your tree, which means your tree needs help!
With summer fast approaching, it may be time to start thinking about trimming some extra pounds from your tree. Here are some summer tree pruning tips to help get you started.
Getting your tree in shape for summer is important for keeping it healthy during a stressful time. Between extreme heat and the possibility of damaging thunderstorms, you want to make sure your tree is in top condition.
CAN YOU PRUNE OR CUT TREE LIMBS IN SUMMER?
Topics
when to prune
tree pruning
how to prune
In the summer, your landscape to-do list is always spilling onto another page. From mowing to watering, you’re busy enough!
But now that you spotted a precarious tree limb in your garden, you’re wondering if, perhaps, you should trim now…
Usually, it’s best to prune trees in the dormant season when they don’t have any leaves. But as with any rule, there are always exceptions. Discover what they are below.
IS IT OK TO TRIM TREES IN THE SUMMER?
You probably want to hold off on heavily pruning trees now–unless it’s a fruit tree or poses a safety risk. But removing a few small branches should be A-OK as you long as you do it the right way.
PRUNING TREES IN SUMMER: CUT CONSERVATIVELY
If you prune to excess in summer, next year, your trees may not be as full. Summer pruning takes away from the tree’s total number of leaves, and fewer leaves mean less food flowing throughout the tree for next year’s growth.
Plus, summer is prime time for pests and diseases. A tree with open pruning wounds may be extra vulnerable to certain diseases. That’s especially for oak trees! If possible, you should not prune oak trees at all during the summer to reduce the chance of oak wilt, which is a potentially fatal disease. If you must prune (usually for safety reasons), paint the pruning cuts to make them less attractive to oak wilt-carrying beetles.
ARE THERE ANY TREES YOU CAN PRUNE IN SUMMER?
Fruit trees: A small trim won’t harm fruit trees, but it can reduce the amount of fruit they grow.
Evergreen trees: You can do some light trimming in the summer but save the major pruning for the dormant season.
Sappy hardwoods: You can prune maple, walnut and birch trees. Some people prefer a summertime prune for these trees because they typically ooze sap when pruned in winter.
Trees with deadwood: If you spot dead or dying limbs, you can remove those at any time.
WHEN IS SUMMER PRUNING GOOD FOR TREES?
Here’s when you can trim other trees in summer:
If your tree has broken, hanging or otherwise weak branches, you should always deal with these problems ASAP.
Your tree has an odd shape. Minor cuts are OK to make now, but hold off on any large-scale pruning jobs.
The tree is getting too large, and you want to attempt to reduce its growth for next season.
Trees are the most valuable and hardest working parts of our landscape. They shade our homes and neighborhoods, cutting energy costs. They increase property values, reduce air pollution and soil erosion, and provide habitat for wildlife. Plus they add beauty and a calming presence to our everyday lives.
Since they are such a peaceful, serene part of the background, it’s easy to forget that trees require our care to thrive. Proper tree maintenance is essential to their continued growth and ongoing health. With that in mind, here are some tips to keep your trees healthy:
WHAT DO TREES NEED TO BE HEALTHY? (TREE CARE INFORMATION)
Topics
Tree Care
plant health care
Tree Maintenance
Some trees can stand the test of time, like Methuselah, the pine that has lived through thousands of California summers. Then, of course, there are the trees that hold a special place in our hearts. We can enjoy them for most of our lives–if we take care of them.
That’s why Rachel, a Davey blog reader from Utah, asked, “We have a really old tree in our yard. I’ve noticed dead twigs and branches, but other than that, it looks healthy.”
She wanted to know how she could fix it and boost her tree’s health again. What are the secrets to keeping a tree healthy and strong for years to come?
HOW TO MAKE A TREE HEALTHY AGAIN
6 TREE MAINTENANCE TIPS TO KEEP TREES HEALTHY AND STRONG
Plant the right tree in the right place. Pick a tree meant for your area, then, find a spot that will get enough sun and provide enough space for its full-grown canopy. Before you dig, make sure it’s not too close to power lines, underground utility lines or your home. Finally, don’t plant it too deep! That’s the number one mistake our Davey arborists see.
Properly water. Just like any other plant, you need to water trees! If it hasn’t rained for several weeks, check to see if your tree needs a drink. Usually, mature trees need one inch of water a week. New trees require somewhere between 4 to 10 gallons each week during the first growing season or two.
Mulch. Mulch insulates tree roots, protects them from lawn mower cuts and helps prevent dry soil. Help your tree reap these benefits by removing grass underneath the tree and spreading 2-to-4 inches of mulch. Be careful not to cover the base of the trunk.
Fertilize. In the forest, natural plant materials feed the soil around trees. But in our yards, we rake and remove all those natural nutrients, like leaves and grass clippings. Fertilizer solves that problem. Apply a slow-release fertilizer regularly to release nutrients into the soil. Also, test your soil periodically to see if any elements are missing or in short supply.
Prune. Proper trimming improves trees’ structure while also removing any deadwood holding them back. Do major pruning when the tree is dormant and doesn’t have any leaves (if possible). Then, in summer, focus on tidying up and clearing out small, dead or damaged twigs.
Book checkups. Scheduling your annual checkup? Make an appointment for your tree, too! Spotting signs of pests or diseases early can make all the difference. ISA Certified Arborists® look for red flags like discolored leaves, cankers, holes, and more. Then, they provide a plan of action on how to help.
Tree branches tend to grow branches around the bottom of the trunk, which tends to be counterproductive. As they consume nutrients without necessarily contributing to the production of chlorophyll as they have limited access to direct sunlight. For this reason, it is necessary to trim them. But if not pruned properly, they may grow back. So how do you stop tree branches from growing again?
How to Stop Tree Branches from Growing Back
Today, we will be looking at how to stop tree branches from growing back in a very simple way.
You can dictate the shape of a tree without causing damage to the tree by adequately cutting the branches to prevent new growth. Tree branches are usually cut when the tree is at its dormant season.
Tree branches are cut because they take up a lot of nutrients without necessarily enhancing the production of chlorophyll as they rarely receive direct sunlight.
However, if these tree branches are not properly pruned and cut, they grow back, which is why you need to prevent that from happening.
Why Should You Cut Tree Branches?
Before you learn how to stop tree branches from growing back, you need first to understand why you should reduce the branches in the first place.
There are a couple of good reasons why tree branches should be cut.
Below are some of them:
Cutting Tree Branches for Plant Health
Cutting tree branches for the sake of the plant’s health focuses on getting rid of branches that are dead, diseased, or dying so that the tree can continue to thrive.
This procedure allows air and light to easily pass through the entire tree, which provides for increased foliage while reducing the tree’s chances of becoming diseased.
It also helps a tree establish a significant and dominant feature that can withstand high winds and winter storms.
For Safety Purposes
People often disregard cutting tree branches for safety purposes. However, it is a perfect reason to want to cut or prune your trees.
Cutting off some tree branches in your yard creates a safe space for yourself, family, and friends.
That is because; well-pruned trees are usually more robust and healthier, whereas ill-maintained trees are often diseased and weak, and poses a lot of danger to lives and property around them.
Sometimes, these ill-maintained or non-maintained trees grow so large and become too close to electrical lines, safety lights, or even block traffic views.
Another reason you should cut down tree branches for safety purposes is to safeguard your life and property against grievous hurricane damages.
However, this factor depends on where you live. It would be best if you pruned branches before hurricane sets in. A tree that is not well maintained or groomed can easily fall during hurricane and damage properties and other plants below it.
For Appearance and Landscape Maintenance
You can create an ideal plant for yourself by pruning your tree branches into the shape you desire.
You can also encourage the fruiting of trees, flowering, and even shape plants into specific shapes and sizes. This way, you control the appearance of your yard and landscape.
How to Stop Tree Branches from Growing Back
Tree branches grow back when the branches are not properly pruned. In order to stop tree branches from growing back, you should, first of all, consider the size of the branches you are about cutting.
If you are reducing, shaping, or thinning branches of small trees, such trees that its branches could be cut using hand tools, you should know that they will eventually grow back.
However, to stop them from growing back, you should cut the branch at about ¼ inch above any bud that faces the outside part of the plant. Ensure to keep your incisions at a 45-degree angle to prevent diseases and water damage.
If you are pruning a thick tree with thick branches, you will make three incisions and ensure that a callus is formed. The callus is essential to the continued health of the tree after the branch has been cut back.
The first incision is made at approximately 18 inches under the branch you are about cutting off. Cut up about halfway through the branch.
Make the second incision at about one 1 inch away from the first incision. Gently cut through and down until the branch breaks free.
The third incision is made on the collar of the tree trunk. The collar is the stem tissue around the base of the branch. It is easily identified on most trees as a slightly swollen rougher bark.
When you spot the collar on the tree, then you make the last incision on its outside, leaving no stub. Make a 45- degree angle incision to get rid of the collar from the base of the tree. This ensures that water damage does not occur and also encourages the quick formation of the callus.
When Is the Best Time to Cut Tree Branches?
There is really not a wrong time to get rid of dead, dying, or diseased tree branches. However, the majority of trees get their branches cut down during mid-winter to late winter.
This is the dormancy period of most plants, and it encourages new growth as soon the active warm weather sets in. Also, the absence of leaves during the dormant periods makes it possible to spot branches that deserve removal easily.
Note that some trees are not ideally cut during winter, for instance, the maple trees. If they are cut during winter, they bleed sap. However, this sap stops flowing when leaves begin to appear on trees, and it does not harm the bleeding tree.
Summer isn’t the best season to prune trees, although it can turn out to be beneficial when carried out with caution. Experienced gardeners direct their plant growth by slowing down the development of a branch or an entire tree by pruning their trees during summer.
If you wish to direct the growth of your tree, you can do so by pruning the tree immediately after the annual growth has reached its peak.
What you achieve is that you have removed the whole surface leaf of the plant and has consequently reduced the number of nutrients transported to the roots.
Conclusion
Tree branches can grow back if they are not cut adequately following some set rules, as we have outlined above.
Another method to stop tree branches from growing again is by sealing the stub, which can be done by applying a generous amount of sucker growth inhibitor solution using a paintbrush.
You do this by strictly adhering to the manufacturer’s instructions.
A fruit tree can be interestingly pricey and a lot pricey if you plan to set up an orchard. Most people prefer to grow fruits from seeds they purchase from the grocery store. However, it is important to note that fruit trees do not thrive from seeds. Fruits grown from seeds barely resemble the original fruit and are raw inedible versions of the fruits into which we expect them to grow.
To complicate things even more, making the cuttings effective, the fruit tree cuttings need to be grafted on a specific rootstock to be propagated separately. Grafting, however, is a complex method of growing fruit trees as compared to cuttings. The method of grafting is specific to some fruiting trees only.
9 List of Fruit Trees That Grow From Cuttings
Cuttings are methods of propagating plants to reproduce and multiplicate these fruit trees as replicates of the parent plants. It is not all fruit trees that grow from cuttings; some do well from cuttings, whereas some do not grow roots; they talk less of growing into trees and bearing fruits.
In this article, we have painstakingly researched through and through to bring you a 9 list of fruit trees that grow from cuttings.
We shall be discussing each of them in detail below. If you are interested in learning about them and how you can grow them yourself in your garden, you should keep reading this article.
Table of Contents
What is Cutting?
Cutting is a type of reproduction process carried out on plants for regeneration. Cutting a plant part for regeneration and multiplication is known as ‘asexual propagation.’ It is frequently referred to as ‘vegetative propagation.’
Asexual propagation involves taking one or more vegetative parts of trees and causing them to replicate into a new or more plant or plants.
The vegetative parts include stems, leaves, and roots. When any of the vegetative parts are taken for regeneration purposes, the resulting plant or plants is usually identical to the parent plant genetically.
There are different types of asexual propagation, and they include cuttings, division, layering, grafting, budding, micropropagation, and separation.
Some of the advantages of cuttings as a method of asexual reproduction include the following:
Cutting is faster and easier than the process of sexual propagation for some species of fruit trees.
Cuttings, most times, are usually the only way through which some cultivars are reproduced. So cutting ensures their longevity.
Cuttings allow the propagation of some special types of growth, like pendulous or weeping forms.
Cuttings maintain both the juvenile and adult features of certain cultivars.
Cuttings most times yield large plants, unlike when the plant is propagated by sexual means.
List of Fruit Trees That Grow From Cuttings
Now that you know what cutting stands for, here’s an in-depth list of fruit trees that grow from cuttings:
Blackberry Plant
Blackberries are one of the fruit trees that can grow from cuttings. Blackberries are known to have a perennial root system with biennial canes; that is, blackberry canes live for two years.
During the first year of the blackberry tree’s life, the canes are known as primocanes, and, at that stage, they do not produce flowers.
Then in the second year, the canes are known as floricanes and, they produce flowers in the springtime, bear fruits in the summer and, die thereafter.
At the time each year, this cycle re-occurs, with the primocanes growing at the same as when the floricanes are fruiting.
Blackberries are best grown as a hedgerow. A blackberry hedgerow that is about 18 or 20 inches wide at the base should be kept about 36 to 40 inches wide at the top. This would allow you to get to the center of the hedgerow during harvest.
Blackberries are not to be grown very close to other landscape beds because their roots send out very invasive new shoots and suckers.
Apples
Apples are produced by hardy, deciduous woody perennial trees that grow in all temperate zones. Apple fruit trees can grow from cuttings. Apples thrive in areas of cold winter, medium to high humidity, and moderate summer temperature.
Apples can grow as tall as 10 – 30 feet and as wide as 10 – 30 feet. They are often referred to as moderately fast-growing plants but slow down as it ages. Apple fruit trees live as long as a hundred years and even more.
Apple fruit trees usually bloom in the springtime, set their fruits, and then take about 100 – 200 days to get to maturity and get harvested depending on the specie being grown.
Apples are harvested twice a year; during the summer and later on during autumn. Some apples are good for eating while fresh, while others are good for cooking and preserving. When it comes to taste, some apples taste better than others, and some are sweet while some are tart.
Fig Plant
Fig is an entirely edible fruit that its tree can grow from cuttings. As a soft fruit, a fig has a thin skin that could be purple or green with typically red flesh. It is a deciduous fruit tree that grows as tall as 23 – 33 feet. Its leaves are 4.7 – 9.8 inches long and 3.9 – 7.1 inches wide and are flagrant
Fig, Ficus carica is Asian specie of flowering plant in the family of mulberry, also known as the common fig. Fig is native to Western Asian and the Middle East and is cultivated for its fruits and as an ornamental plant.
Figs are usually in season from August down to early October.
Lilac Plant
Lilac, Syringa vulgaris is a species of flowering plants that belongs to the olive family ‘Oleaceae.’ Lilac is a type of fruit tree that grows from cuttings. It originates from the rocky hills of the Balkan Peninsula.
Lilac is grown for its scented purple flowers that bloom in late spring. It is an ornamental plant that is grown in homes and parks for its attractive and sweet-smelling flowers.
However, not all types of Lilac flowers have a sweet smell. If you are interested in growing Lilacs for their scent, it is recommended that you grow common lilac bushes.
Lilac bushes thrive in full sun, although they tolerate a little shade they require full sun to bloom best. They do not do well at all under full shade. The best soil for growing Lilacs is a rich, well-drained, loamy soil whose pH is neutral.
They can tolerate clay soil but not will do as well as in rich loamy soil. Overwatering the soil leads to lilacs blooming poorly. For moisture retention, place mulches at the base of the plant.
The best time to plant Lilacs is either in spring or fall. However, a lot of gardeners prefer spring. Lilacs are prone to attacks from snails and slugs.
Its most common disease is powdery mildew. Powdery mildew appears on Lilacs after a summer of hot, humid weather. It causes no critical harm to lilacs, except for making the plant look unsightly.
Phlox
Phlox goes by the botanical name ‘Phlox paniculate’ and can grow from cuttings. Some of its common names include summer phlox, garden phlox, tall phlox, and border phlox.
Phlox is characterized by a dense cluster of dainty five-petaled flowers. Its flowers usually have a sweet fragrance. The flowers found in some cultivars of phlox are usually adorned with central eyes that have contrasting colors.
Most phlox have green leaves, but there are some that have variegated foliages bounded by yellow or white margins. Phlox grows as tall as 1 – 5 feet, depending on the cultivar grown.
Phlox grows very under direct sunlight, although some native the native woodland would tolerate some shade. Phlox requires a soil that is rich in compost and other organic matters, well-drained, moist, and fertile. Its soil’s pH should be slightly alkaline.
As you should already know, phlox is best propagated by cutting. Phlox can be cloned by cutting up its clumps and replanting them immediately. It can also be cloned by replanting stem cuttings taken in early summer.
Phlox typically blooms from July through September. Some cultivars bloom later or earlier than this time.
Raspberry
Raspberry is an edible fruit that belongs to the genus Rubus of the Rose family. It can grow from cuttings. Raspberry trees are perennial with woody stems but have biennial shoots.
That means that the shoots grow during the first growing season, while fruits grow on the grown shoots during the second growing season.
Raspberries are traditionally planted as dormant canes in winter. They grow vigorously and are very invasive if left unchecked.
They are propagated by cuttings, and the cuttings grow roots immediately when grown in moist, rich soil. They are also self-pollinating. Raspberries thrive under full sunlight and in a wide range of soil.
There are two major types of Raspberries; the Heritage everbearing raspberry and the September everbearing raspberry. The Heritage everbearing raspberry bears harvestable fruits in a moderate quantity in July and then in a larger quantity in September.
The September everbearing raspberry bears harvestable fruits in June and then bears more fruits in large quantities in September.
Rose
A rose is a woody perennial plant that can grow from cuttings. Rose belongs to the genus Rosa in the family of Rosaceae.
Roses could be erect shrubs, trailing or climbing, with its stems armed with sharp thorns. Rose flowers are usually big and vary in different shades of bright and beautiful colors that range from red, white, and yellow.
A majority of roses originate from Asia, while a handful originates from North America, Europe, and Northwestern Africa. Rose trees are grown for their beauty and fragrance.
Roses are grown as dormant canes, which some people often mistake for being dead, whereas they are just dormant. These dormant canes are best grown in late winter and early spring. However, growing a container rose, that is, a grown rose. It is best you grow in late spring and early summer.
Roses are usually attacked by fungi. Some of its common diseases are white powdery mildew, rust, and black spot fungus. Aphids are rose’s most common insect pests.
A majority of rose species are used in perfumes, while the ruga rose produces edible rose parts that are rich in Vitamin C and used as a preservative.
Sumac Plant
Sumac trees can grow from cuttings and are readily available in two species; the smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) and the staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina). The two species grow as tall as 3 – 5 meters and about the same size in width, with red fall colors for their flowers.
Sumac trees make their way into people’s landscapes because of their striking colors in the fall. Their leaves turn bright red in fall, although there are species that are yellow and orange in color, thus giving the gardeners a variety of colors.
Sumac is such a versatile tree plant that thrives in almost any type of well-drained soil. It also does well either under direct sunlight or partial shade.
However, the prairie or flame leaf sumac thrives under full direct sunlight. Sumac tolerates drought but would do better, especially in height, if it is irrigated regularly when there is no rainfall.
Female sumac trees produce clusters of succulent berries. These berries turn bright red in autumn, right until the winter.
Trumpet Vine
Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans), also known as hummingbird vine, trumpet creeper, and cow itch vine, is a deciduous woody vine that grows under full sun to partial shade but blooms its best under full sunlight.
Trumpet vine grows in any kind of soil but does well in a well-drained soil that has a pH of 3.7 – 6.8, that is, acidic soil.
Trumpet vine requires no fertilizer to grow. It is such an aggressive plant. Trumpet vine thrives in hot, humid regions of southeast, and it is easier to control in a dryer climate.
Trumpet vine is toxic to some people’s skin and causes skin irritation, hence one of its common name ‘cow skin itch.’
Conclusion
Growing fruit trees from cuttings could be done using either of the leaf, leaf-bud, cane, stem, or roots. These plant parts are used in propagating the tree to give rise to an identical replica of the parent plant.
These fruits trees can be grown from a cutting and some other methods. It is imperative to take appropriate care of the cut part to grow roots and begin the process of healthy growth towards becoming a full-grown fruit tree.
Another important tip is to grow the cut part very shallow. Do not bury it too deep into the soil. Water immediately and apply the necessary fertilizer.
If the plant is prone to pest and disease attacks, safeguard it these attacks and create a hostile environment for insect pests and disease-carrying pathogens. From this list of fruit trees that grow from cuttings, you can pick any of them today and give it a try.
Before starting the pruning project you should ask yourself, “Is it the right time to prune my palm?” The good news is, that unlike other trees there is no right or wrong time to prune a palm. Your palm will tell you. You never need to cut green fronds but may need to for visibility sake. Are there brown fronds, flowers, or fruit? Then your palm is whispering to you, “Prune me.” To be safe, I’d always recommend doing a quick once over before hurricane season or if you are in the middle of a drought and you’re worried about the fire to make sure your palm is in good shape and doesn’t need pruning. Keeping your tree free of hazards and as safe as possible is the most important thing when considering tree maintenance.
How to Trim Palm Tree Trunk [7 Pro Steps]
Pruning the palm tree has always been a divisive topic amongst gardeners and experts. While many think pruning is essential for the palm tree’s growth, a lot more suggests that the process is not necessary at all. This second group says pruning does nothing but hurt the tree.
Like other trees, the palm tree needs pruning albeit carefully and at long intervals. There are many reasons why a tree, even the palm tree, should be pruned. We will be discussing these reasons and more as well as how to trim palm tree trunk like a pro – even if you’ve never done it before.
Let’s get started!
Why Trim Palm Tree Trunk?
If there is much ado about trimming a palm tree, then there is undoubtedly a reason why. Earlier, gardeners thought trimming a palm tree would make it grow faster. But recent studies have shown that this is not true. So, why trim a palm tree trunk?
The very first reason to trim palm trees is to get rid of dying or dead palm fronds. When you eliminate these dead fronds, you prevent breakage damage.
The second reason is to eliminate breeding places for pests. Scorpions, rats, and squirrels often nest in these dead fronds and eat away at your plant. Trimming the palm tree ensures they don’t, and this leaves your tree healthier and more robust.
If the palm tree in question is near homes and buildings, you should trim them as too many fronds can be a fire hazard. They are also dangerous in windy times as they may break off and hit something or someone, causing mortal injury.
You have to trim the palm tree to get to the flowers, seeds, and fruit. People trim the palm trees located at walks and driveways so they can see better while driving or taking a walk.
When Should You Trim Palm Tree Trunk?
When is the best time to trim the palm tree trunk? The best time to prune a palm trunk is during spring. However, there are some things you’d notice on your tree, which are indicators that you need to prune your tree. Here are some of those indicators. If you do not see any of these indicators, do not trim your tree.
Dead fronds. These are usually white, yellow, or brown and they hang down looking wilted.
Broken fronds.
Fruit stalks and palm flowers. They slow tree growth and use energy.
NB: Yellow spots on old palm fronds do not mean your tree needs pruning. It means the tree is lacking potassium. What you do in this case is supply the palm tree with extra potassium.
Wait for one year before pruning. If you prune a potassium deficient palm tree, other fronds will turn yellow and lose nutrients.
Tools for Trimming Palm Tree Trunk
What are the tools needed for trimming a palm tree trunk? The type of tools you need for trimming a palm tree may vary, depending on the palm tree’s height.
Here are some of the trees below:
Serrated knife: You can use this for fronds with a diameter equal to or less than an inch. You can also use the knife to cut flower stalks.
Shears or big clippers: This is for removing fronds with diameters higher than an inch.
Hand saw: The hand saw is perfect for medium-sized trees.
Chain saw: This saw is for giant trees, and you should be careful when using it. It is safe for you to contact an arborist if your tree needs a chain saw.
Disinfectants: For sterilizing the tools to avoid the transfer of diseases.
Whetstone/Bench grinder/Oilstone: For sharpening your blades.
Ladder/Lifts/Step stools: For climbing the tree.
Gloves: For protecting your palm against sharp frond edges.
Googles: For protecting your eyes from sharp, small, and flying debris.
NB: If you are a novice in pruning palm fronds, especially if the tree is huge, please employ the services of a professional-an arborist.
How to Trim Palm Tree Trunk
How do you trim the palm tree trunk? Follow the steps below.
Step 1: Sterilize the Tools
The first thing to do is to sterilize trimming tools to prevent the spread of diseases. Wipe away debris and dirt from the cutting tools. Then soak the tools in a disinfecting solution.
For this solution, mix three parts of water with a part of bleach. Soak the cutting tools in the solution for five minutes. Rinse with water and air dry.
Step 2: Prepare to Climb the Tree
You must ensure your climbing gear is in order before climbing. Some palm trees are quite tall, and any carelessness or slip could lead to a fall, which can be fatal.
While you are looking out for your safety, ensure the climbing equipment is not damaging the tree trunk. If the tree trunk damages while trimming, your palm may not recover.
Step 3: Get Rid of Dead Leaves
Use your knife or saw to cut off dead fronds, starting at the base of the tree’s foliage. Cut 2 inches from the tree trunk. Remove fronds below the angle 90 lines, even if they are green. Be careful not to cut the tree’s crown. If you do, your palm will die.
It is unnecessary to trim palm species such as Kentia, Chamadoreas, Jubaea, and King palms. They self-clean as dead fronds drop naturally.
Step 4: Get Rid of Loose Petioles
Pull the loose petioles slowly. If they are stiff and won’t come off when you apply little pressure, leave it be.
Step 5: Trim Developing Fruits and Flowers
If the palm is a flowering species, clip off the fruits and flowers as they take nutrients and prevent fast growth.
Step 7: Discard Trimmed Fronds Properly
Fronds have sharp edges, and if you leave them lying around, they might hurt someone. Please put them in an organic waste bin.
Also, pick up flowers and fruits and dispose of them accordingly. If you leave them lying around, you may invite pests.
Conclusion
How to trim palm tree trunk is what every gardener who has palm trees should know. But if you do not, it is wise to call in experts who can help you do that.
Please do not leave the tree without any fronds, especially the green ones, as they make food for the tree. And if the tree cannot make its food, it will look unhealthy and weak.
Your palm tree does not need you to prune it continually, as this will affect its growth. It is better if you only trim your tree once a year for maximum results.
It’s gorgeous, healthy and well-loved. A tree that provides enjoyment, beauty and shade to your outdoor landscaping or indoor haven can be propagated fairly easily. This will generate an identical specimen that can be replanted indoors or out. While it seems simple to start a new tree from a single branch, it does take some understanding of the workings of a tree as well as the best water and light conditions to get the most robust roots to grow from a cut tree branch.
Can a Broken Tree Branch Grow Roots?
There are several reasons why a tree branch can get broken. A tree branch can accidentally be broken by either hurricane or other domestic accidents that occur at home, such as kids running over plants. A tree branch can also get broken intentionally for propagation and reproduction.
The question, however, remains; can a broken tree branch grow roots? The answer is YES. However, it also depends on how the tree branch was broken and the aftercare the tree received.
That said, if you are seeking clarity on whether a broken tree branch can grow roots and how you can ensure that the roots appear as at when due, please continue reading.
Can a Broken Tree Branch Grow Roots?
Yes, a broken tree branch can grow roots. Getting a broken branch to grow roots will only cost a little money, a short time, and a lot of patience.
Growing a tree from broken branches is usually more successful than growing a tree from seeds. A broken tree branch with well-formed roots grows to form an identical plant as the parent plant. Broken branches from trees that are less than a year older usually grow roots faster than older broken tree branches.
How to Get a Broken Tree Branch Grow Roots
As earlier stated, a tree branch can either get broken by accident or on purpose. So, to get the broken tree branch to grow roots, you must find the manner in which the branch was broken, this will enable you to follow it up accordingly.
Since the intentional manner of breaking a tree branch is a method of propagation, and we must be familiar with such a method of plant propagation.
Therefore, we shall look at how to get a broken tree branch to grow roots in the case of accidental breakages, such as after a hurricane or accident.
When a hurricane occurs, trees fell, and tree branches get broken. After the hurricane, take up the fallen trees and stand them erect with stakes. After that, you should look out for broken tree branches. When you find the broken tree branches, you can either carry out a ‘removal cut’ on them or a ‘reduction cut.’
A removal cut removes a broken branch from the parent branch. This method is used to remove broken and hanging branches, so that the branches do not hurt anyone by falling off and that the branches can be re-grown to bear identical parent tree.
A reduction cut is different from removal cut because it shortens the length of a stem by pruning back to a smaller branch known as a lateral branch.
A lateral branch should be at least 1/3rd of the diameter of the stem is cut. A reduction cut is used to make clean cuts behind the jagged edges of the broken tree branches.
After cutting the branch, the next essential care tips include controlling water, light exposure, and the type of container to grow the broken branch. Freshly cut branches need a lot of water to help them grow roots that would help them either thrive or get successfully transplanted.
If the cut branch is single, then you might need a flower pot to grow it in, otherwise grow it in the soil and carry out the necessary care tips. While growing the branch in a pot, cover the bottom of the pot with a transparent plastic bag.
The bag is put in place to maintain a high level of humidity while making it easier for you to monitor the water level and drainage. Ensure that there are holes at the base of the plastic bags. The holes would ensure that the water doesn’t become rancid.
The branch would also need an adequate supply of bright light but not direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will make them struggle and even wilt some of the leaves.
With adequate care and maintenance, within a few weeks to months, the branch would start growing roots. Once the roots have grown long, thicker, and healthier with better vitality, the branch, which is now a young tree, is ready to get transplanted. Now you can begin to tend the branch as a new tree.
Conclusion
One of the best tips to apply when trying to get a broken tree branch to grow roots is to cut as many branches as possible, especially if you are new to this type of propagation.
The idea here is that at the end of the day, you would have some healthy plants left, should some of the branches do not grow roots.
Additionally, immediately you take out the branch from the tree, make sure to start processing it to prevent it from drying out. Broken tree branches usually take up to at least three months to grow healthy and well-developed roots.
Mulching is a great way to feed your soil, improve drainage, and protect your plants. And by learning how to mulch, you’ll save hours of gardening time because, when done properly, mulching can almost eradicate the need for you to do any weeding.
Whether you’re a new gardener mulching flower beds for the first time, spreading mulch over your vegetable garden, or simply making dirt patches in the corners of your garden prettier, you’ll want to make sure that you’re using the right kind of mulch and using it in the right way.
How To Mulch Around Trees And Shrubs (5 Easy Steps)
In this guide, we’ll be looking at how to mulch around trees and shrubs the right way.
Mulching is both decorative and functional. There’s no arguing that mulching shrubs and trees is a beautiful idea. It helps to preserve soil moisture, suppresses weeds, protects the tree trunks from damage, etc.
Typically, mulching is an organic material carefully spread on the surface of the soil to protect roots from cold, heat, and drought, and to supply adequate nutrients to plants as it decomposes.
However, while mulching trees and shrubs come with countless benefits, it does fire back when you do it the wrong way.
Once you have selected the correct plant for a given site and followed the right planting process, the next step should be to mulch the plant to create a stable environment for root growth.
Now, let’s learn the best way to mulch trees and shrubs:
How To Mulch Around Trees And Shrubs
To start, you’ll need to following tools and materials:
Mulch material
Hoe
Shovel
Rake
Once these things are ready, the first step is to choose the right mulch. Organic mulches are the ideal choice for trees and shrubs, and woodchips and bark mulch are perhaps the most common materials used.
But while organic mulch adds to the overall health of your soil, it attracts insects and may be combustible. These mulches decompose at different rates, depending on the climate, size, and composition of the pieces.
Additionally, large chunks of bark last the longest, while shredded leaves and grass clippings need constant replacement. Sand mulch or inorganic stone is fireproof and is suitable for coastal landscapes and arid, but may attract ants and cats.
After you’ve chosen a mulch, start by weeding the area where you’ll apply the mulch.
1. Determine mulch area
When mulching, the plant’s size and turning radius of your mower will determine the shape and size of the mulch area.
Calculate the area that needs covering in square feet, then using the mulch calculator, determine how much mulch will be required.
If possible, mulch out to the edge of the widest branches or its drip line. Then group trees and shrubs into beds, rather than mulching around individual plants. This will help you to unify your landscape plantings and save mowing time.
2. Get rid of turf and weeds
Clear all the grass and weeds from the area you want to cover. This will prevent them from growing up via the mulch. You can pull weeds by hand or simply hoe them out.
3. Remove lawn grass by using a spade to slice under it
While doing this, you want to be very careful to dig into only the top 2-3 inches of the soil. Then shake the soil out of the turf before throwing it away to maintain the soil depth around your shrubs and trees.
4. Spread the mulch
Use 2-4 inches of mulch to cover the cleared area. The mulch should be raked into a flattened doughnut shape, making sure to keep it at least 6-inches away from the stems of the plant or trunk.
After this, make a neat outer edge by leaving a little gap between the edge of the surrounding lawn and the mulch.
5. Maintain mulch
The mulch should be replaced as needed during the growing season to maintain the 2-4 inch depth. If you’re using organic mulch, rake up and replace it in the spring, especially around fruit trees and roses.
What to Keep in Mind When Mulching Around Trees and Shrubs
While a little mulch is good, too much of it can be disadvantageous. You may be tempted to apply a fresh layer each spring, but that may not be necessary. This is because if you spread much more than 3-inches of mulch, problems can start to develop.
Deep mulching can lead to excess moisture and invite disease, rodents, and insects to take up residence. Lots of well-meaning gardeners usually harm their plants by building “mulch volcanoes,” which is done by piling mulch up around the plant’s trunk.
When you pile excessive mulch against the bark, it may start to decompose, resulting in further disease and insect issues. Additionally, trees that escape rot problems may begin to grow new secondary roots from the trunk.
Sadly, these secondary roots are liable to girdling the primary roots and trunk. That’s not all; excess mulch can equally create a home for voles that eat the bark off of trees, often leading to their death.
The symptoms and effects of over-mulching may take years to surface, but it is safe to believe that an over-mulched tree is in for a long, slow, but inevitable death.
Furthermore, it’s also advisable to lay landscape fabric under gravel mulch to prevent weeds. Do not use plastic mulch for shrubs or trees as it prevents air and water from reaching roots. Preferred mulches for this purpose include:
Bark chunks
Weed-free straw
Shredded and composted fir bark
You also want to avoid weedy hay, water-repellant peat moss, and toxic mulches made from eucalyptus, pressure-treated lumber, walnut, cedar sawdust, or redwood.
Finally, never use mulch that smells like ammonia, sulfur, or vinegar.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now know how to mulch around shrubs and trees, and as you can see, it’s actually very easy. Mulching is a very important aspect of gardening, and we suggest you try it in your gardens, such as your tomatoes, cucumber, and other plants.
If you have any questions about mulching, don’t hesitate to reach out to us immediately.
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