Garden Joys

At least someone enjoys my fruit trees!

I had a Liquidambar tree that just wasn't growing leaves. Most of the garden has been growing well and we have even been surprised by some roses that we haven't seen in a while grow radiant flowers. I thought that consistent early watering would kick of the trees leaf production but it wasn't enough - I needed something more - I needed light.

Next to the tree was another tree that had grown considerably since we had moved in. It was what you would call a 'junk tree' or a tree that wasn't planted and just appeared. These type of trees usually are planted by birds droppings and just grow wherever they land. This tree was as tall as the house, thin and growing well. It was also growing in direct competition for sunlight with the Liquidambar.

One Saturday evening I went out with my small chainsaw and just went at it. The task wasn't difficult except for a moment when I needed someone else to pull at the top of the tree branches to make sure it feel where I wanted it to go. I put the trunk in the Green Waist Bin and the branches in the backyard for mulching the next weekend. The tree was gone in a couple of hours with only a stump to show for it.

The result was within a couple of days the leaf growth accelerated. It's been a few weeks now and the tree is completely covered in leaves now. My theory is that damp soil that does not get warmed up prevents the tree from drinking up the moisture and it stays dormant - like it would be in winter. Tree's take the water and make leaves so they can absorb light to convert to energy through photosynthesis. Consistency is key. Much like seasons there is a time to water and a time to enjoy the sun.