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Ceanothus problem.

avocet.djWyycFLrtavocet.djWyycFLrt Posts: 7
in Problem solving
Hello. I have attached images of a Ceanothus which appears worse for wear. The tree was weighed down with snow overnight earlier this year and it has never been the same since. Flower buds were forming before the snow but haven't progressed. Scratching the bark reveals a greenish branch in various places, so it might still be alive but the leaves over the whole tree look browny/green. Is there still hope?  Thanks.

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    It looks like a well established specimen so i'd be inclined to wait till the frosts are over in mid May and then check for new shoots and fresh green leaves.  Prune back to those.

    Cutting back too early could just expose new buds to any late frosts and thus kill the plant entirely but if there are no news hoots by mid May, cut it back, dig out the roots, improve the soil and plant something new.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    There is hope, but not a lot.
    They are not long lived, and yours seems a few years old.
    They are not fully hardy, and last Winter was severe.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @avocet.djWyycFLrt Do you know how long ago it was planted, they are not very long lived.
    Years ago all the Ceonothus died around here after a cold wet winter like the one we have just had. The scraped bark does show life but it is suffering from the stress due to weather.
    Long term I think it might be giving up but you could continue to see how it gets on this year.

    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • avocet.djWyycFLrtavocet.djWyycFLrt Posts: 7
    Thanks. The Ceanothus is at least 10 years old.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @avocet.djWyycFLrt If it is still alive at the top you could crown lift it and remove all the dead stuff from underneath. Goggles required. I have done with one reaching the end of it's life. It didn't stop it's demise but it did create an interest,  lovely shaped branches underneath to give  structure and a canopy of blue just at the very top. Very time consuming and patience needed.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • avocet.djWyycFLrtavocet.djWyycFLrt Posts: 7
    Thanks. 
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