Gardening and Horticulture - Tree not growing straight up
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Skramy
05-16-07, 08:09 AM
I have two 4yr old catalpa trees in my yard I started from seed. They grows about 12-14" per year, so they're about 4ft tall now. The top bud must freeze (I'm in ND) because a branch (about an inch down from the top of the stem) takes over as the lead stem. I've tried covering it with snow when it was young, and wrapping it with tree wrap but to no avail. Is there any remedy for this?
Luckily the new stem grows nearly straight up. However, there is a slight kink in the trunk for each year. Now, one tree isn't growing straight up. It's very leafy. Are the leaves causing it to grow out at a 30deg angle? Would it help if I clipped the leaves on one side of the stem?
SteveS
Luckily the new stem grows nearly straight up. However, there is a slight kink in the trunk for each year. Now, one tree isn't growing straight up. It's very leafy. Are the leaves causing it to grow out at a 30deg angle? Would it help if I clipped the leaves on one side of the stem?
SteveS
twelvepole
05-16-07, 09:30 AM
Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) is hardy in Zones 4-8. Southern Catalpa
(Catalpa bignonioides) is hardy in Zones 5-8. N. Dakota is in Zones 3-4. Northern Catalpa in Zone 4 may survive, but severe cold will damage the tree.
Loss of terminal produces invigorated growth near the cut or dead bud, and lateral branching and disfiguration of the tree's overall shape. It may be that with thinning (complete removal of lateral branch) that some sense of apical dominance can be maintained. Terminal bud removal either by a pruner or nature will result in permanent disfiguration of the tree's form.
"Is there any remedy for this?" Plant native species and species of trees known to be very hardy to your extreme winter conditions. Catalpa crown die out is common where there are extreme winter conditions.
(Catalpa bignonioides) is hardy in Zones 5-8. N. Dakota is in Zones 3-4. Northern Catalpa in Zone 4 may survive, but severe cold will damage the tree.
Loss of terminal produces invigorated growth near the cut or dead bud, and lateral branching and disfiguration of the tree's overall shape. It may be that with thinning (complete removal of lateral branch) that some sense of apical dominance can be maintained. Terminal bud removal either by a pruner or nature will result in permanent disfiguration of the tree's form.
"Is there any remedy for this?" Plant native species and species of trees known to be very hardy to your extreme winter conditions. Catalpa crown die out is common where there are extreme winter conditions.