my poor chinese pistache!

tjburton

Last month, we experienced unusually high winds that lasted several days. Since then, the branches on my chinese pistache seem to be getting more and more limp. (My tree was planted about 2.5 years ago, and it has never slouched like this before.)

I'm get particularly concerned because there are also other young chinese pistache trees in the area, and none of them have branches that arc downwards like mine.

Is this common? Is there anything I can do? Did I do anything to make my tree susceptible to this?

Sorry about my tacky rope and the lousy quality pictures, but this is all I got for now: <-snip->

Eric Frei

Want help?

Play by the rules and load your pictures to this forum. Information was provided about doing so in your welcome PM and email.

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tjburton

My apologies. I solemnly swear that there shall be no more illegal activity from me.

Uploading my latest pics now....

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Eric Frei

Well, look what I found.

That's the other thing .... use the search button.

Pruning Chinese Pistache 'Keith Davey'

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Davo The Terrible

I think it has something to do with your staking method - young trees need to be able move in the wind to develop appropriate stem taper so they can hold themselves up. When they are restricted from moving by staking methods such as yours, they rely on the stakes for support and cannot stand up by themselves. I would recommend you replace your current staking method with one similar to that shown in the attached diagram (use 50mm hessian webbing as the "flexible tie"). This should allow your tree to move more in the wind, and develop a more sturdy trunk. Vertical growth will slow while trunk taper increases.

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TreeSpecialist

The Chinese pistache grows like a "weed" and is often found in this condition.

Ekka is exactly right - subordinate the tree - Cut it back to interior sprouts.

This will allow for the natural formation of reaction wood - a thickening of the cell walls which will give the trunk some strength. It has been supported too long.

Before cutting it back, remove all of the supports. THEN cut it back until it stands alone without support. Young trees can take a great deal of pruning without significant harm.

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dannyboysfc

PM me if interested in having it professionally pruned, I dont live far from San Jose.

tjburton

My apologies--I only noticed the additional replies today. In any event, I thought I'd post pics of the tree 1.5 months after I thought it was doomed.

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TreeSpecialist

Same advice - subordinate the branch tips to force growth back towards the middle of the tree.

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