Corkscrew lime / twisted Tilia?

[sloth]

Anyone come across this on lime twigs before? Mostly on the epicormic and lower branches (as far as I could see), a lot of the previous year's twists had partly died, or died beyond the twist.

[Gary Prentice]

Could it be the result of herbicide application?

[sloth]

Very highly unlikely at this location. I did notice a few scattered scale insects, some on the affected twigs, some not; I'm not convinced they have anything to do with it though...

[Adam M]

There's a name for that! I'm sure someone posted about this very thing about 3 months ago!

[sloth]

There was a thread on fasciation, but this isn't that. Apparently, after some googling, I see you can get a Tilia platyphyllos 'tortuosa'. Although this was a sizable mature lime just inside a wooded area, so I'd be surprised if it was planted...

[woodyguy]

Root a cutting of the growth and see if you've got a new variety?

[sloth]

Root a cutting of the growth and see if you've got a new variety?

 

I did 'harvest' a few twigs. I've never tried it before though, any tips? My wife does have some blue powder rooting compound somewhere, but I don't know what to do with it!

Cheers...

[woodyguy]

Make up a pot of potting compost and sharp sand equal amounts mixed in. Dip in the rooting hormone (works better if fresh) and push in around the edges of the pot and water well. Put a polythene bag over them and put them in a sheltered shady spot. May not root as a bit late with the leaves coming out but may do.

Have to say though that my money would be on drifted selective herbicide causing growth distortion, especially as it is the lower branches.

[sloth]

Cheers woody, I'll have a try...

[crawley park]

I think you will find its caused by aphids, whenever i have come across it there are always aphids and ants milking the aphids.