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Cordaline?

honeysuckle4honeysuckle4 Posts: 9
in Plants
I have inherited this tree which was apparently brought back from Portugal 25 yrs ago, I don't really know how to care for it and don't really want it growing any taller. I have cut down about 7 new trees that had grown around it. Any advice will be gratefully received. Thank you. 

Posts

  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Your Cordyline will continue to grow taller.  You can keep cutting it down but it will then produce new shoots which will then grow and so on.............
    Your only other alternative would be to remove the tree entirely, improve your soil and choose another plant.
    Without knowing your aspect, the fact that you are growing close to fencing could mean that most stuff will stretch to gain sufficient light and will possibly be sheltered from any ( welcome ) rain. 
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Sounds like you don't like it very much @honeysuckle4. Why don't you dig it out, improve the soil and plant something you really love?
  • honeysuckle4honeysuckle4 Posts: 9
    I can't bring myself to just dig out a healthy plant/tree. I'd like to look after it properly but couldn't find any info on it.  All the pictures I could find were of the spikey kind that are ground level. I'm not even sure it is a cordaline. 
  • honeysuckle4honeysuckle4 Posts: 9
    Hi Posy I hadn't seen the answer from phiippasmith2 when I replied to you. Thank you both for helping me and phiippasmith2 maybe your suggestion is worth thinking about if it is just going to get taller and taller. 
  • Simone_in_WiltshireSimone_in_Wiltshire Posts: 1,073
    @honeysuckle4 Your picture reminds me on a visit in Bath. There are different types of cordyline and not all grow just as single stem in 4m height.
    I took this image at the Botanical Garden in Bath. That cordyline looked stunning being surrounded by such a beautiful park atmosphere. What looks small with 2 meters in height was in reality a circle of around 8 plants taking an area of 5x5 meters.



    If your ones is 25 years old, it has reached the maximal length and will definitely not get taller, but it seems like the one in Bath to have a habit to spread for some time now, and then they have a big root clump.
    If it were my garden, I would ask our professional guy to help me with digging out the entire plant. This would cost money, but is money well spent.

    I ♥ my garden.

  • AngelicantAngelicant Posts: 130
    I recall digging one of these out many years ago. It had been in about 5 years and was about 5 ft tall. I had to dig down about the same depth to get the tap root out. 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I can see your point about not getting rid of a healthy plant, but if it's not really what you like then l think after 25 years it's probably more than done it's job.

    If you can get it taken out and clear the site, think of the planting opportunities  :)

    As @Angelicant says, the roots go down a long way. The removal of the one in my garden required use of a mattock. I seem to recall a lot of muttering as well.
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Taking out a healthy plant IS very difficult but I'm guessing your garden isn't enormous  and it is now YOUR garden. You have what you like!
  • honeysuckle4honeysuckle4 Posts: 9
    Simone_in_Wiltshire said:
    @honeysuckle4 Your picture reminds me on a visit in Bath. There are different types of cordyline and not all grow just as single stem in 4m height.
    I took this image at the Botanical Garden in Bath. That cordyline looked stunning being surrounded by such a beautiful park atmosphere. What looks small with 2 meters in height was in reality a circle of around 8 plants taking an area of 5x5 meters.



    If your ones is 25 years old, it has reached the maximal length and will definitely not get taller, but it seems like the one in Bath to have a habit to spread for some time now, and then they have a big root clump.
    If it were my garden, I would ask our professional guy to help me with digging out the entire plant. This would cost money, but is money well spent.
    Thank you Simone_in_wiltshire yes that's exactly how it looked when I first moved in.  It had taken over the whole of the corner. It does look beautiful in Bath. 
  • honeysuckle4honeysuckle4 Posts: 9
    Thank you all so much for all your help. It's clearly a much bigger problem than I thought it to be! The root is pretty huge. I found that out when I first cut it back and yes it takes up a large area which could be used for plants I like. I just need to make a decision now!! 🤔. Thanks again everyone. 
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