Re: ceanothus care

> Reid Family wrote:
> 
> To All:
> This last winter I had a large Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman' ,which is
> planted on a slight slope, partially slide over on its side in a bad
> wind.  My husband and I pulled it back up and secured it to a very
> large pole which we thought was driven quite deep enough.  However, in
> our very wet and gusty winter, the pole was pulled out of the
> saturated soil, which was not the purely hard clay these plants are
> native to.  The problem is complicated by a gnarly twisted trunk at
> the base which seems to favor this new lazy position, and of course
> the downhill slope.
> 
> Our choices are to use a sturdier securing rod, like a metal stake
> driven more securely into the ground, OR what I would rather do: let
> it sit where it is most comfortable; cover the roots that have pulled
> up slightly with soil and build a bit of retainer to hold it; and cut
> off the large branches that are now on the ground weighing it over and
> let those that are now pointing up become the new crown.
> HERE IS MY DILEMMA:  I recently read someone on this website say NOT
> to cut a ceanothus branch larger than 1" in diameter.  We are going
> into the dry season, and the plant is now done flowering.  Am I really
> going to do it grave damage if I cut off these two larger branches (1
> 1/2-2")?
> I would appreciate any advice on this as I am about to do one or the
> other this week.
 
 Karrie 
Although I live in NZ, I am quite familiar with Ceanothus, which are
widely grown here.

This is indeed a dilemma and it would be very difficult I think for
anybody to predict what will happen next.

As to the fact it has again fallen over, I do think that to leave it in
its new position would be the best course, as the combination of falls
and subsequent propping have probably caused quite a bit of damage to
the root system already and standing it up once again would almost
certainly cause more. 

On the danger of cutting off those large branches, I am always doubtful
of dogamtic assertions of this sort. Certainly it woould be very damging
to a plant of this type to seriously shorten the main trunk, but it
might be quite possible to get away with cutting off these branches
eventually if in the meantime the rest of the tree will indeed  grow
vigorously upwards as you suggest so as tho balance the roots better.

Hoowever the first thing one must consider I think is the age of the
plant. You describe it as being very large and having a gnarled trunk.
As most Ceanothus tend to be fairly short-lived this one may well be
already pretty mature and so less likely to be able to stand any more
shocks to it's system at present, especially as it now goes into the dry
season.

My personal approach would be to leave it down but uncut at least for
this summer, just covering the roots and arranging a retainer as you
suggest. If it survives its changed state all through the summer without
showing signs of a lot of dieback you might perhaps try cutting either
one or both of the two branches next winter, but in the meantime it may
do best if treated as delicate and not subjected to any drastic
"surgical proceedures" at last for the present.

I would be interested to know what you decide to do and  how it comes
through this summer.

Moira
-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan,
Wainuiomata, North Island, NZ.     Pictures of our garden at:-
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/cherie1/Garden/TonyandMoira/index.htm
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