Shamel Ash Tree

11 years ago

So, I have (had) this beautiful Shamel Ash tree in my yard right on my lawn. It was planted when we bought the house. It was doing well, but all of sudden, and I mean in this last year since winter, it tried to green up after losing its leaves. It just couldn't do it, the buds looked like they were there, but wouldn't break forth. Now the top of the tree with its gorgeous 10' canopy is dead, but lots of new shoots are coming up from the base of the trunk. My question is this, I'd like to cut the trunk down and allow all this new growth to take over.

1. I'm not sure the tree will survive if I do that and

2. If it would survive when it the time to cut the trunk down?

I'm sorry I don't have a picture, my hubby misplaced the camera. Thanks for everyone's help.

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Comments (3)

xill
11 years ago
the type of pruning i think you're referring to is called "pollarding" a tree. it's common here (Imperial Valley, CA) to do that to Indian Laurels, Mulberries, and sometimes Mesquites if they really get out of hand. I'm not sure if a Shamel Ash could handle that much pruning, but I figured if you knew the proper term it might help you in your searching
Juttah
11 years ago
It'll probably survive, but as a bush, not as a tree.

Do you know why the top of the tree died? Perhaps the tree is diseased or rootbound; in that case, it's best to start over with a new (healthy) tree.
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lazy_gardens
11 years ago
You will get a weak-trunked shrub, not a tree.

I'm not sure what happened to the tree - it may have had a watering problem or been root bound.

Dig it up and check the root system, and then plant another tree. They grow quickly.