Coppicing strawberry tree.

[skc101fc]

Hi there, looking to see if a strawberry tree (arbutus negundo) responds at all to coppicing. Probably a rarity/ exotic to UK but relatively common in the wild in SW Ireland and also the iberian peninsula, Spain. For those interested its a small evergreen tree growing up to size and spread of a field maple, with white bell like flowers forming small ,barely edible strawberry shaped fruit. Fairly slow growing.

My one took the full wind direction of storm Ophelia but because of relatively small root plate in comparison to crown size, on a difficult rocky bank I can't stand it back up and secure it in its current state. Plus being in an exposed situation the next strong wind would have it back over again, hence my wanting to coppice and get rootplate back in the ground. Its only 14yrs old so still very much juvenile and hopefully vigorous to regrow.

Any thoughts

Shaun

[se7enthdevil]

never heard of an arbutus negundo???

 

 

arbutus unedo is what i know as strawberry tree and are fairly common in the south of the UK. i see them trimmed regularly but i think coppicing is a bit extreme for it. pollarding might be better?

[skc101fc]

Sorry my bad thought processes.!
Your quite right unedo it is.
This ones lying on its side with one half of root system peeled off the rock sheet underneath. Only 2-3 " of poor soil at best on a 50° slope completely open to wind hence the need to keep it low. Its also 3 spreading stems rather than one trunk. If it don't coppice I'll prob leave it lying, I think it will throw out roots by layering on the ground having seen a woodland thicket of them in similar situ in Killarney forest park. Ideally want to keep the rest of my slope stabilised by getting root plate back in place.

[nepia]

I had to hack one back hard when we moved into the house and every stem sprouted but it looked horrible; long weak whippy shoots going in every direction.  I don't think coppicing will kill it but the regrowth may not please you.  It certainly doesn't come back like a hazel.

[skc101fc]

I had to hack one back hard when we moved into the house and every stem sprouted but it looked horrible; long weak whippy shoots going in every direction.  I don't think coppicing will kill it but the regrowth may not please you.  It certainly doesn't come back like a hazel.

That sounds fine to me, if it preserves and rejuvenates its done enough. It doesn't really have much option. It can't be guyed or posted and its a pain lying on its side. Plus I need the soil/rootplate back in its hole. If it don't die on cutting then its going to take what it gets.
Thanks for the reply.
Shaun

[Gary Prentice]

From pruning/hacking back Arbutus at an exposed site/high elevation, I think it will do what Nepia said.