Welcome to Tree Planting Notes
Tree Planting Article
This is a selection made from among articles on Tree Planting. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for future reading, click here.
Training Beautiful Flowering Shrubs into Unique Flowering Trees
from: Michael J. McGroartyYou are welcome to use this article on your website or in your newsletter as long as you reprint it as is, including the contact information at the end. Website URLs must be active links. You are welcome to use this article with an affiliate link, http://www.freeplants.com/resellers.htm
There is nothing more beautiful than a flowering shrub in full bloom, except maybe a flowering shrub in full bloom that has been trained to grow as a single stem tree. Imagine having a fragrant Viburnum Tree next to your patio or outside your bedroom window, waking up to such a wonderful aroma.
Click here to see how I grow Weeping Pussy Willow from cuttings, then train them into single stem trees:
http://www.freeplants.com/weeping-pussy-willow.htm
Don't confuse what I am about to explain here with the common technique of grafting flowering shrubs on to the tall stem of some sort of rootstock. Grafting is very effective, but not so easy to do. This is much easier. Not only that, when you train the shrub to grow into a single stem tree, you can end up with some very interesting plants.
Training a flowering shrub to grow into a single stem tree is actually pretty simple. The younger the shrub you start with, the easier it is to train. I have a friend who grows thousands of Tree Hydrangeas a year, and this is how he trains them. The variety that he grows for this purpose is P.G. Hydrangea. (hydrangea paniculata grandiflora) This is the one with the huge white snowball blooms.
He starts with rooted cuttings and lines them out in the field about 30" apart. The first year he allows them to grow untouched as multi-stem shrubs. Being a fast growing shrub, they typically produce 3 to 4 branches that grow to a height of about 3 to 4' that first season. The following spring he goes into the field, examines each plant and selects the one stem that is the straightest, and is likely to grow straight up from the roots if tied to a stake.
He then clips all of the other branches as close to the main stem as possible. Then he pounds a stake in the ground as close to the main stem as possible, and clips the tip off the single stem that is left. This forces the plant to set lateral buds just below where he clipped the top off, rather than continue growing straight up. These lateral buds will grow into branches that will form the head of the tree. He then ties the stem to the stake.
As it begins to grow, any buds that appear below that top group of buds are picked off to keep the single stem tree form. That's all there is to it. You can use almost anything as a stake, and just tie the stem to the stake with a piece of cloth. I also anchor plants to stakes with a single wrap of duct tape. I find that if I only wrap the tape once, the sun will dry the glue and the tape will fall off by itself in about 12 months. 1/2" electrical tubing (conduit) also makes a good stake, and is just a couple of bucks for a 10 foot piece.
You can do the same thing with an older established shrub if you can find one branch that can be tied to a vertical stake. The stem is likely to be crooked and not too smooth because of the wounds from where the branches were removed, but that doesn't mean that you can not create an interesting plant. Some of the shrubs that make beautiful and unique ornamental trees are many varieties of Viburnums, Burning Bush, Winged Burning Bush, Red and Yellow Twig Dogwoods, Weigelia, Mockorange, Rose of Sharon, and Flowering Almond.
I'm sure there are many more. My favorite shrub to train into a single stem tree is Harry Lauder's Walking Stick. In shrub form this plant is extremely interesting with its twisted and contorted branches. The new growth is reminiscent of a pig's tail. Using the same technique as described above I select a single stem, tie it to a stake, and train it to grow as a single stem tree. The effect is totally unique.
Call your local garden stores and ask them if they have a Harry Lauder's Walking Stick plant. Give it a try, I'm sure you'll have fun as well as create some very interesting plants for your landscape.
Michael J. McGroarty is the author of this article. Visit his most interesting website, http://www.freeplants.com and sign up for his excellent gardening newsletter. Article provided by http://gardening-articles.com
About the Author
Michael J. McGroarty has more than 30 years experience in the landscape gardening/nursery industry. He's spent the better part of his life on his hands and knees in the dirt working with plants and his hands-on experience allows Mike to write in a manner than many gardeners find to be helpful and beneficial.
 |
 |
Tree Planting News
Tarlac Officials, Youths Launch Tree-Planting - Manila Bulletin
Tarlac Officials, Youths Launch Tree-Planting Manila Bulletin The project, initiated by Vice Governor Pearl Pacada, involves tree-planting and planting seedlings in various parts of the province. STEP supports of Governor Victor Yap's program of protecting Mother Nature and promoting a greener and cleaner city. |
VIDEO: Centennial Cherry trees planted at Waimea fest - Big Island Video News
 Big Island Video News | VIDEO: Centennial Cherry trees planted at Waimea fest Big Island Video News After a seasonal winter chill, the trees typically are blooming in February. The Japan-US Cherry Blossom Centennial celebration features the planting of cherry trees across the nation as a continued symbol of friendship between the two countries. |
Community planting marks the start of tree events in city - Jacksonville News
 OregonLive.com (blog) | Community planting marks the start of tree events in city Jacksonville News by Susan Di Biase Scout Troop 19 and JSU Earth Club members gather for annual tree planting. Photo: Anita Kilgore/The Jacksonville News NOTE: This story was written by Susan Di Biase, a member of Jacksonville's Tree Commission. etnies' Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree Project Takes Root in Brazil Etnies' Buy A Shoe, Plant A Tree Project Goes To Brazil Portland Timbers & Timbers Army Help Plant Trees in NE Portland on Feb. 11 |
Plant more trees for Arbor Day - Coastal Courier
Plant more trees for Arbor Day Coastal Courier By Sara Ann Swida Columnist Arbor Day was created to celebrate and plant trees, and this is the perfect time of year to plant trees in our area. But don't just run out and grab a shovel. Plan now to make Arbor Day fun and memorable for your family, ... Cities to hold Arbor Day celebrations |
Tree planting at governor's house - Caymanian Compass
Tree planting at governor's house Caymanian Compass The Truth for Youth Grade 6 students planted a special tree at Governor Duncan Taylor's house on Friday, 3 February as part of their bid to win this year's Disney Planet Challenge for Change project. Beatrice Taylor, wife of Governor Taylor, ... |