[Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[Dick Gross]

Kadi, in 3 years, that tree should have been anchored with a pretty well established root system but if your tree has green, lush foliage it may be just a little topheavy in loose soil and salvageable..

I would stake it but it has to be done in a certain way depending upon whether you want to straighten the tree, or just keep it from falling over or both. Whatever you do, you have to allow the trunk some play or sway to strengthen it. I'm not sure I can describe exactly how to do that although there are numerous web sites that do if I can find one for you. A search turned up nothing satisfactory.

Put one 6 or 8 foot redwood stake 18" awayfrom the stem opposite the from the direction it is leaning. Tie 1" green nursery tape loosely to the stem above a branch to prevent slippage. Wrap the tape around the stake and pull the stem to a point a little beyond vertical (overcompensate an inch or two) and tie with a half loop so that you can quickly untie it to make adjustments. That may be enough to straighten the tree but if you percieve an inclination to topple in a wind storm, add two more stakes to form a triangle and leave a couple inches of slack in the tape in the other two to allow the trunk to flex and develope strength. The ties to the trunk should be loose enough to  avoid girdling but tightly to stakes with a back loop knot to make it easy to untie and make adjustments.

Ideally, trees should not be staked at all and never lashed to a post. But, to accomplish your purpose or save the tree, do whatever you have to do that doesn't harm it in the process. Use 1" stakes if you think they are strong enough or thicker if you think it necessary based on the trees bulk, weight and wind resistence.

Trees that are crooked, tortured and grotesque can be quite beautiful and natural in a landscape.

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer Maricopa County Cooperative Extension

Contrary constructive opinions are invited.

Bcc: azcrfg; vosg; 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <skrogers7 at hotmail.com>
To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2006 1:39 PM
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


> Kadi Rogers
> 85206
> skrogers7 at hotmail.com
> 
> I planted a peach tree about 3 years ago in a raised flowerbed.  I try to only water the flowers around  the drip line and just mulch the up to the trunk.  I did amend the soil pretty deep--about 2 feet.  With the recent rains, the tree is really tipping and I'm afraid it will completely topple over if I don't do something quickly. I am concerned about 2 things that I may have encouraged and I don't know how to fix either one!  The tree must not be sending it's roots down because water is so readily available and did I create a "pot" for it to grow in by amending the soil around it so that it won't now send it's roots down into the hard ground below.   Is there anything I can do to help my tree?  
> 
> 
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