Robinia pseudoacacia progression

[PiñonJ]

I don't bother with organics. Robinia is a nitrogen fixing species, uses bacteria to do it. Perhaps when I try again, I will simply quit fertilizing this one.

That’s how I started this spring, but as I mentioned, there were no rhizomes this time around. The leaves started losing color, so I used a moderate application of Biogold and it’s kind of going crazy again, though it’s more manageable than in the past.

 

[Yosemite Goat]

I have my eye on one at the local nursery. The trunk is amazing and I was thinking about a strong cut back and then grafting on branches around the rim of the cut to make a broom style.

Since they are in the bean family, I would guess a straight Sandy loam would be a good soil.......... and as Leo says, very little Nitrogen needed.

How deep of a pot to you think they need? The reason I ask, is I feel they might need cool roots. If the roots are getting hot during the nitrogen process, perhaps there is some thing happening chemically in the roots.

 

[PiñonJ]

Approaching full bloom:

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Glad to see it. It's progressing. The flowers make it worth the effort.

 

[Crazy Diamond]

Winter update?

 

[PiñonJ]

Winter update?

Sitting in the greenhouse, waiting for spring. Probably not necessary to protect it, but I left it there after pruning a couple of months ago.

 

[Crazy Diamond]

You find it difficult to ramificate? the thinner branches die easy? or ramificates just normal for a compound leaf tree

 

[PiñonJ]

You find it difficult to ramificate? the thinner branches die easy? or ramificates just normal for a compound leaf tree

I don't think it's particularly difficult. I will prune more aggressively this year after flowering and try to accelerate the ramification process. I haven't had much trouble with die-back, just a few tiny branches.

 

[Crazy Diamond]

Ah nice thanks for the advice, I got me a root sucker from a chopped down Robinia, crappy material but I give it a try

 

[pandacular]

@PiñonJ I'm curious about this tree! The tree in my neighborhood that I have drawn most inspiration from is a black locust, so I find it a very compelling subject.

 

[dacoontz]

Also curious about any updates for this year. I found a decent nursery stock tree stuck in a 15 gallon pot that had grown 20 feet tall. The trunk is awesome.

 

[jszg]

I have my eye on one at the local nursery. The trunk is amazing and I was thinking about a strong cut back and then grafting on branches around the rim of the cut to make a broom style.

Since they are in the bean family, I would guess a straight Sandy loam would be a good soil.......... and as Leo says, very little Nitrogen needed.

How deep of a pot to you think they need? The reason I ask, is I feel they might need cool roots. If the roots are getting hot during the nitrogen process, perhaps there is some thing happening chemically in the roots.

They grow wild in my hometown, forming coastal groves in pure sand. I suspect the reason they might struggle in pots is that they don't like the entire rootball drying out. I imagine they send roots down into the water table- the local trees tend to grow in dips or creek beds, or the "wet side" of sand dunes. (But that also could just be where they are left alone, and says nothing about their growth.)

 

[Attmos]

@PiñonJ I'm curious about this tree! The tree in my neighborhood that I have drawn most inspiration from is a black locust, so I find it a very compelling subject.

Does Black Locust make a good bonsai?

 

[pandacular]

I’m not sure; this thread is one of the few I’ve seen someone try. Probably better to ask the author of this thread, as he has the experience.

Many are scared of trees with compound leaves, but few learn compound leaf techniques.