Supporting Trees
Our trees are cultivated in open fields to facilitate faster growth compared to potting. We tend to their growth until they reach a certain height and thickness that is suitable for our stock requirements. When the trees reach this stage, they are removed from the ground as root-ball trees while dormant. The next step involves containerising the trees by adding their root-balls to large pots, which are then filled with vermiculite and compost. It takes some time for fresh roots to establish in the pot's soil. Once the trees have developed strong roots in the pot, they are available for sale to our customers.
To ensure the desired tree shape, our full standard trees are initially trained with a thick bamboo cane. The leading stem is guided up the cane until it reaches a height of around 190-200cm, where the canopy begins. While this technique helps create a straight, single stem, it also serves a crucial function in supporting the young stem from breaking or bending in strong winds. It is crucial to leave the bamboo cane in place until the stem becomes strong and rigid, which typically occurs when the tree has a 14-16cm girth for soft wood trees such as Magnolia grandiflora.
While it is important to remove the bamboo cane at the appropriate time, it is crucial to keep it in place for young trees as they are prone to breaking in storms. Some customers have received advice to remove the bamboo cane immediately after planting, but we strongly disagree with this recommendation. In our experience, leaving the cane in place until the tree is strong enough to support itself is necessary. Removing the cane too soon could result in the young tree breaking in strong winds.
To ensure the safety of the young tree, we recommend securing the bamboo cane with waterproof electrical tape. This will also allow the tree stem to safely expand over time. While bamboo is a strong material, it will eventually weaken over time due to the elements and constant support of the tree's stem. Therefore, it is important to check the bamboo cane's condition as autumn approaches and replace it if necessary. We suggest using black electrical tape for securing the bamboo cane.
