Q. I have a Mimosa tree that is about 15 – 20 years old
with four main branches forming the trunk of the tree. These four branches form
a “well” about 8 inches deep which catches rainwater and remains wet
for about a week or so after a rain. Someone recommended filling this “well”
with roofing tar so that the tree doesn’t rot at the point where the main
branches come together.
with four main branches forming the trunk of the tree. These four branches form
a “well” about 8 inches deep which catches rainwater and remains wet
for about a week or so after a rain. Someone recommended filling this “well”
with roofing tar so that the tree doesn’t rot at the point where the main
branches come together.
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| Not the readers picture but a silk tree that started to yellow. It could be poor drainage but it also could be the beginning of a disease called Mimosa wilt. |
A. Mimosa, or silk tree, is not a long-lived tree due to
disease problems. At 15 – 20 years of age it’s getting close to the end of its
life. Its short life is because of a disease problem called Mimosa wilt disease
that invades some of the limbs and causes limb or stem dieback. The tree
usually dies in a matter of months once it gets the disease.
disease problems. At 15 – 20 years of age it’s getting close to the end of its
life. Its short life is because of a disease problem called Mimosa wilt disease
that invades some of the limbs and causes limb or stem dieback. The tree
usually dies in a matter of months once it gets the disease.
The
reason I’m mentioning this is because you should realize this tree may die
regardless of what you do so prepare yourself for that eventuality. It may die
because of nothing you did or didn’t do. You don’t see a lot of old silk trees
around for a good reason.
reason I’m mentioning this is because you should realize this tree may die
regardless of what you do so prepare yourself for that eventuality. It may die
because of nothing you did or didn’t do. You don’t see a lot of old silk trees
around for a good reason.
I think
filling that well with roofing tar is a bad idea and will damage the tree. Rainfall
is so infrequent in our desert climate that I don’t think it’s worth the effort
or concern. If this catchment is filling with water because of frequent
irrigations by sprinklers, then this situation is different.
filling that well with roofing tar is a bad idea and will damage the tree. Rainfall
is so infrequent in our desert climate that I don’t think it’s worth the effort
or concern. If this catchment is filling with water because of frequent
irrigations by sprinklers, then this situation is different.
Secondly,
any compound made from petroleum is potentially damaging to plants. Petroleum
products are normally not applied to plants because of their toxicity. You run
the risk of damaging parts of the trunk in contact with the roofing tar.
any compound made from petroleum is potentially damaging to plants. Petroleum
products are normally not applied to plants because of their toxicity. You run
the risk of damaging parts of the trunk in contact with the roofing tar.
I
appreciate the concern you have, but in my opinion if that tree has survived this
long, then leave it alone.
appreciate the concern you have, but in my opinion if that tree has survived this
long, then leave it alone.