Q. We purchased
11 Tipu trees in March of 2012. We
purchased these trees because they were recommended as fast growing trees for
our property. Three of the 11 trees we planted died during the winter of
2012-13 and only growing “suckers” around the base of the trunks. An arborist told us the trees were “toast”
and recommended we might leave the suckers to regrow into a tree rather than
remove them. Is there anything else we can do to help these trees or do you think
they are a lost cause?
11 Tipu trees in March of 2012. We
purchased these trees because they were recommended as fast growing trees for
our property. Three of the 11 trees we planted died during the winter of
2012-13 and only growing “suckers” around the base of the trunks. An arborist told us the trees were “toast”
and recommended we might leave the suckers to regrow into a tree rather than
remove them. Is there anything else we can do to help these trees or do you think
they are a lost cause?
 |
| Tipu showing regrowth from the base after winter kill due to low temperatures. |
A. As you have
already found out, this tree will freeze in our climate. This is what I believe
killed the tops of your trees this past winter. According to Arizona State
University it is hardy down to about 25°F. Temperatures below this cause winter
leaf drop first followed by branch and trunk death as temperatures drop
further.
already found out, this tree will freeze in our climate. This is what I believe
killed the tops of your trees this past winter. According to Arizona State
University it is hardy down to about 25°F. Temperatures below this cause winter
leaf drop first followed by branch and trunk death as temperatures drop
further.
What you are seeing now is
resprouting of the tree from the base which was protected from freezing
temperatures by the soil. If the temperature had dropped even further you might
have lost the entire tree with no regrowth from suckers.
resprouting of the tree from the base which was protected from freezing
temperatures by the soil. If the temperature had dropped even further you might
have lost the entire tree with no regrowth from suckers.
The arborist was right. You could
select one of the stronger suckers and remove the rest. If you want a
multi-trunked tree then leave three to five. These nurtured suckers will grow
up to be a new tree that will promptly freeze to the ground again when temperatures
drop to that 20ish F range.
select one of the stronger suckers and remove the rest. If you want a
multi-trunked tree then leave three to five. These nurtured suckers will grow
up to be a new tree that will promptly freeze to the ground again when temperatures
drop to that 20ish F range.
I am not in favor of growing this
tree here and I will tell you why. This tree is originally from South America
where it can reach heights of 100 feet with a 60 foot spread. In our harsh, desert
climate it won’t get that tall but might reach 40 feet or so.
tree here and I will tell you why. This tree is originally from South America
where it can reach heights of 100 feet with a 60 foot spread. In our harsh, desert
climate it won’t get that tall but might reach 40 feet or so.
In the wetter parts of California it
has been used in water conservation landscapes. It is not a desert plant and
should not be considered low water use and in the same category as acacias for
instance. These trees should be considered moderate in their water use, similar
to ash of a similar size.
has been used in water conservation landscapes. It is not a desert plant and
should not be considered low water use and in the same category as acacias for
instance. These trees should be considered moderate in their water use, similar
to ash of a similar size.
In some places they are considered
invasive and their root systems destructive. This should not be the case here
if you plant them several feet from walls, sidewalks, driveways and
foundations. Plus, you should water them infrequently, not with shallow
frequent irrigations and irrigate on sides away from structures to less
damaging root growth.
invasive and their root systems destructive. This should not be the case here
if you plant them several feet from walls, sidewalks, driveways and
foundations. Plus, you should water them infrequently, not with shallow
frequent irrigations and irrigate on sides away from structures to less
damaging root growth.
A lot of people in the warmer Phoenix
area like this tree. There are a few who don’t like the litter it produces and
fear it’s destructive potential. In a nutshell, because of its lack of cold
hardiness, I do not believe it is suitable for the cooler climate of the Las
Vegas Valley.
area like this tree. There are a few who don’t like the litter it produces and
fear it’s destructive potential. In a nutshell, because of its lack of cold
hardiness, I do not believe it is suitable for the cooler climate of the Las
Vegas Valley.
this Tree is FINE for Las Vegas.
BUT…..
This is WAAY too close to the wall for this poor little tree.
Move it before you will need to cut down this beautiful tree.