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Palm tree? Trunk broken - what to do?
marodj
Posts: 6
Hello, recent storms have resulted in a tree in my garden breaking in two at the trunk. I think it may be a palm tree, but this is just a guess. (image attached of the flowering top of the plant and remaining tree)
Does anyone know what the specific species this tree is? and also, as it has broken in two, is there anything I can do to save it (e.g. saw the trunk at a specific point and treat it) or is it a gonna requiring extraction?
Thanks.
0
Posts
Hi marodj, I think t is probably a cordyline australis which isn't a true palm but most folk call them palms in the UK. If it is, the good news is that it will almost certainly sprout new growth from the base now that the trunk has been severed. To help stop disease entering the damaged trunk, I would cut it cleanly a few inches below where the top broke off. Once the new shoots have grown a couple of feet high I think you would be safe to cut the old trunk off at ground level and if you want just one new trunk, select the strongest new one and remove the rest. You could also let all of the new shoots grow and have a multi-stemmed one.
Thank you - I shall prune it as suggested tomorrow and look forward to seeing its new growth. Much appreciated.
That's useful. I have one about 10ft tall but the `bark` has come off about half way down the trunk for about 30cm. I keep cutting off side shoots that keep growing but perhaps I will leave one or two to grow as a back up in case the main stem breaks.
Good luck with yours marodj
I think it is out in the garden, Verdun. It looks like Marodj has put the broken flower into a pot which is the picture on the left. The flower won't root and will die of course but it does look quite attractive and it would be a shame to waste it until it does go brown.