Colleen’s twisty baby locust tree leafing out in June 2020. Note the tree is staked after being uprooted during Dorian in 2019.
The twisty baby locust tree is a garden favorite coveted for its twisting branches, curly leaf texture and unique growth patterns. Its perfect for tight spaces and urban gardens…no two are alike!
Colleen’s twisty baby locust tree was planted in the spring of 2019. It was uprooted that fall during hurricane Dorian just 5 months after being planted. By then, it had grown lush foliage but it had not yet grown sufficient roots to withstand high winds.
It was intentionally not staked prior to Dorian for good reason. Had it been staked, it almost certainly would have broken off in high winds, negatively affecting the appearance of the tree and likely resulting in its replacement.
To stake or not to stake? We find that staking a tree usually does more harm than good. Allowing tree trunks to move in windy conditions helps strengthen the tree and stimulates root growth. Staked trees tend to have weaker trunks and less developed roots making them more vulnerable as they mature. Further, improperly installed stakes can weaken and kill trees: tied too tight, stakes can cause girdling and done too loosely can result in repeated rubbing on the bark causing wounds that may never heal properly.
Most of the high wind systems in Nova Scotia occur in fall when trees are fully leafed out. Strong winds coursing through a dense crown of leaves can cause the root ball to rock back and forth.
Curly, lush foliage makes the twisty baby locust a stunning specimen tree in the ornamental garden.
We are watching it closely as tropical storm Teddy comes ashore today…we have moved it back and forth and there is no evidence of shifting soil at the base suggesting that it is now well rooted and ready to withstand high winds.
Another common question related to extreme weather comes from owners of coastal Nova Scotia gardens concerned about salt spray and the risk of damaged foliage. On perennials, leaves may appear brown and spent and should be pruned afterward to encourage new growth. Generally, we do not see long term perennial damage from fall tropical storm and hurricane weather conditions.
On ornamental evergreen trees and shrubs however we recommend using your garden hose to spray foliage after the storm ends; this will remove residual salt spray and prevent foliage burn.
If you are unable to spray foliage soon after the storm passes, consider wrapping evergreen shrubs or trees with a lightweight material, working from the bottom to the top and then securing it. This will prevent salt spray from drying directly on foliage and the risk of foliage burn.
We hope you - and your garden - stay safe during the storm as Teddy moves through our province.