Wooden Supporting Post

[Ratman]

Hiya guys/gals, i have a young tree/shrub that i planted in the front garden approximately 18 months ago, its a Cytisus Battandieri (pineapple broom) last year it started to lean and grow to one side, so the mrs inserted some garden canes and some string to aid in its support. However, with the recent winds we’ve just been having i noticed the poor thing is taking quite a battering. It is still very healthy and has kept some of its leaves all through the winter and bad weather but i’d like to ensure its good health continues.

So my question is, if i was to knock a 3” round post down the side of it so i can fit some support straps to it, how close can i, or should i get to the trees base without damaging the roots etc? Thanks all.

[Conor Wright]

Hiya guys/gals, i have a young tree/shrub that i planted in the front garden approximately 18 months ago, its a Cytisus Battandieri (pineapple broom) last year it started to lean and grow to one side, so the mrs inserted some garden canes and some string to aid in its support. However, with the recent winds we’ve just been having i noticed the poor thing is taking quite a battering. It is still very healthy and has kept some of its leaves all through the winter and bad weather but i’d like to ensure its good health continues.
So my question is, if i was to knock a 3” round post down the side of it so i can fit some support straps to it, how close can i, or should i get to the trees base without damaging the roots etc? Thanks all.

They often grow to be rather top heavy with the roots slow to respond. Tip pruning after flowering helps keep them in check and stops them outgrowing themselves. Not knowing the shape or spread of the particular plant it's hard to advise but at 18 months planted if you just keep to the side of the stem by half the width of it's original pot you should be ok. Alternatively you could use a single stake at 45 degrees (only really leaves you a low tying point but keeps the base of the stake away from the root mass) or three short stakes at 120 degree intervals in a circle well out from the base of the shrub and use webbing to tie into the stem(s) further up, essentially stabilising it from all angles.
They are susceptible to stem rot, if they have made a hole around the base from moving in the ground, make sure to stabilise this and stop water lodging or your staking may well be in vain!
Hope that makes sense.

[Ratman]

They often grow to be rather top heavy with the roots slow to respond. Tip pruning after flowering helps keep them in check and stops them outgrowing themselves. Not knowing the shape or spread of the particular plant it's hard to advise but at 18 months planted if you just keep to the side of the stem by half the width of it's original pot you should be ok. Alternatively you could use a single stake at 45 degrees (only really leaves you a low tying point but keeps the base of the stake away from the root mass) or three short stakes at 120 degree intervals in a circle well out from the base of the shrub and use webbing to tie into the stem(s) further up, essentially stabilising it from all angles.
They are susceptible to stem rot, if they have made a hole around the base from moving in the ground, make sure to stabilise this and stop water lodging or your staking may well be in vain!
Hope that makes sense.

Nice one Conor, i will take a picture of it, but it’ll be tomoz now as i’m at work now till 8 tonight so daylight will have gone. Thanks [emoji106]

[swinny]

Im not familiar with the plant but why not knock 2 2” posts in either side depending on width of crown / foliage..... then run some canes accross from post to post and tie the plant back to these to assist it?

[Ratman]

Im not familiar with the plant but why not knock 2 2” posts in either side depending on width of crown / foliage..... then run some canes accross from post to post and tie the plant back to these to assist it?

Cheers for pointer Swinny, i’m not too sure what you mean though? I’ll post a picture of it tomoz and you can draw on it for me if ya will [emoji106]

[Ratman]

Heres the picture guys [emoji106]

[Conor Wright]

Something like this maybe. Cut after flowering.

[Ratman]

Something like this maybe. Cut after flowering.

Nice one Conor, thank you!