Do goldcrest conifers sometimes lean as part of their growth?

deadendwaterfall · June 2023

There is a goldcrest conifer I planted in our community garden which hasn't grown much taller since I put it in three months ago, however, it has certainly gotten significantly wider around the bottom with many of the branches much longer than when it was planted.

With this however, the conifer seems to be leaning a little bit, but doesn't seem to be uprooting out of the ground. It was very straight when planted, it just seems to have started leaning to one side since the bottom branches increased in size.

I don't mind it not being perfectly straight any longer, I'm just very pleased that it is growing so quickly, but was just wondering if the slight leaning is part of the natural growth process?

GardenerSuze · June 2023

@deadendwaterfall What sort of soil do you have? I wonder if the soil is loose? New plants can be susceptible to wind rock.

Fairygirl · June 2023

A photo would help, as well as more info about the site was prepped, and what the ongoing care has been.
Conifers are shallow rooting, so it does sound quite likely that it hasn't been properly firmed in, and the soil isn't right for it.

GardenerSuze · June 2023

The top can 'fork' but this plant doesn't naturally lean.

Ceres · June 2023

Is the conifer near a tall building, wall, large shrub, or tree? If it is then it will tend to lean in order to get the most light possible.

bédé · June 2023

It is not uncommon for conifers to choose a new branch as leader. It should correct with time.

deadendwaterfall · June 2023

Ceres said:

Is the conifer near a tall building, wall, large shrub, or tree? If it is then it will tend to lean in order to get the most light possible.

You can see the goldcrest is in between two bushes in the below picture, although looks can be deceiving, the bush to the left of it isn't actually as close to it as the picture makes it out to be.

Fairygirl · June 2023

If you want that to thrive, you need to clear a proper area around it. Planting into grass is never ideal unless it's bulbs. Remove a circle of turf - about 2 to 3 feet diameter, and add some organic matter. Do that regularly - and when the ground is thoroughly moistened. Judging by the yellow/brown grass, it's very, very dry too. Not ideal for any conifer until they're much older and able to cope with spells of dry weather and lower amounts of rainfall.
Shrubs need proper care for a long time after planting. You're only making it more difficult for them to establish and grow well if you have all that competition around them, especially over summer months, and for the first year or so.

deadendwaterfall · June 2023

Fairygirl said:

If you want that to thrive, you need to clear a proper area around it. Planting into grass is never ideal unless it's bulbs. Remove a circle of turf - about 2 to 3 feet diameter, and add some organic matter. Do that regularly - and when the ground is thoroughly moistened. Judging by the yellow/brown grass, it's very, very dry too. Not ideal for any conifer until they're much older and able to cope with spells of dry weather and lower amounts of rainfall.
Shrubs need proper care for a long time after planting. You're only making it more difficult for them to establish and grow well if you have all that competition around them, especially over summer months, and for the first year or so.

When I took the picture, the grass had literally just been cut the day before, it's far greener now. But next time I plant any conifers, I'll make a circular grass clearance.

What you said about the grass surrounding, could it also be a similar reason for my two scot pines planted in the grass not growing as quick as the one I planted directly in some soil as I mentioned in a previous thread?

The conifer is watered every two days by the way.

GardenerSuze · June 2023

@deadendwaterfall When watering you do need to soak at the roots and avoid run off. The roots need to be encouraged to go down. Perhaps water less often say ever four five days but really deeply. The grass close to all the plants will be taking all the water and nutrients. Goldcrest is not a plant for a windy site.

Fairygirl · June 2023

You can still remove the turf now. It's only been planted five minutes and the root system will still only be small.
It only makes it harder for anything to establish and thrive. It's certainly a reason for the pines not doing well, although again- they don't grow instantly, and I'm sure I mentioned that on your other thread. They aren't like annuals or perennials. Trees take years to establish and start growing.

In wild, more remote areas where trees are put directly into the ground for regenerating forests, they're done at a very small size [less than a foot] and en masse, because inevitably, many won't make it, for obvious reasons. It's not like a tended garden where people are putting in one or two and looking at them every day.

Do goldcrest conifers sometimes lean as part of their growth?

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