Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
'strangled' conifers
In the last couple of years I've seen two conifers (at least one a
Leylandii) that had been tied to stakes with polythene rope when they were comparatively small, and the rope never slackened, so that it cut deep into the trunk as the tree grew. But much to my surprise, on both occasions the trunk below the strangle was considerably thinner than that above, roughly half as thick I would say. Intuitively, I would have expected it to be the other way around, as I would have thought the strangle would inhibit the upward flow of sap, nutrients etc. to the trunk and branches above. What's the explanation? -- Chris E-mail: christopher[dot]hogg[at]virgin[dot]net |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
"Chris Hogg" wrote in message ... In the last couple of years I've seen two conifers (at least one a Leylandii) that had been tied to stakes with polythene rope when they were comparatively small, and the rope never slackened, so that it cut deep into the trunk as the tree grew. But much to my surprise, on both occasions the trunk below the strangle was considerably thinner than that above, roughly half as thick I would say. Intuitively, I would have expected it to be the other way around, as I would have thought the strangle would inhibit the upward flow of sap, nutrients etc. to the trunk and branches above. What's the explanation? -- Chris E-mail: christopher[dot]hogg[at]virgin[dot]net ____________- This is totally as expected. The tie is stopping 'food' manufactured in the leaves reaching below the constriction via the phloem [bark] whereas water and minerals from the roots travels unhindered upwards, via the xylem [wood] Hence the roots and parts below the tie are being starved and would eventually die, killing the whole plant as they would lose the ability to 'send' water etc.upwards. However the cambium [forms phloem and xylem] has the ability to grow sufficiently to bridge the gap and permit survival; if the gap is not too great ..Best Wishes Brian. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
On Fri, 5 Aug 2005 19:33:59 +0100, "Brian" ---
'flayb' to respond wrote: This is totally as expected. The tie is stopping 'food' manufactured in the leaves reaching below the constriction via the phloem [bark] whereas water and minerals from the roots travels unhindered upwards, via the xylem [wood] Hence the roots and parts below the tie are being starved and would eventually die, killing the whole plant as they would lose the ability to 'send' water etc.upwards. However the cambium [forms phloem and xylem] has the ability to grow sufficiently to bridge the gap and permit survival; if the gap is not too great .Best Wishes Brian. Fascinating! Thanks for that, Brian. -- Chris E-mail: christopher[dot]hogg[at]virgin[dot]net |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Revitalising strangled fruit tree | United Kingdom | |||
Conifers. Help What can I plant round them? | United Kingdom | |||
Young Leylandii and Lawson conifers, prune and manage | United Kingdom | |||
[IBC] conifers seed sowing guidelines | Bonsai | |||
Say goodbye to San Bernardino Mtn. conifers | alt.forestry |