We almost gave up on this tree. It was just gorgeous - the biggest highlight of the whole garden with sun shining behind it and a dark evergreen backdrop for contrast in our cabin garden in Norway. Unfortunately it rained almost every day last summer so the tree stood a long time in stagnant water. Ther were some leaves that year but not many. To try and save it we placed it in a dryer sunnier spot this year but there were no leaves at all. In June I cut it right down to the trunk (about 2 meters tall) leaving nothing but an amusing bare stick! My husband painted the ends so it shouldn't dry out and lo and behold .....LEAVES, SHOOTS galore. I am almost seeing them grow by the minute. HOWEVER, I have the normal variegated shrimp color, BUT also reverted leaves that are just green (as mentioned in the article by Douglas Justice pasted below) and pure WHITE leaves and PINK leaves whithout pattern. Some look like albino leaves. So what to do? I don't want the green to take over and I prefer the variegated shrimpy color over plain white an plain pink. Do I cut off ALL the unwanted? Will I have a lopsided tree? Can anyone draw a diagram of a branch collar for me which is where you are supposed to trim off the leaves???? Thanks very much for any views.... Renata from 2003.....
I'd even leave the green until next year. It will need all the nourishment it can get. This one puts on a display after cutting back hard, it seems a funny time for it to revert. I'd wait and see. Glad to hear it survived. A. negundo seems to be able to put up with some pretty extreme conditions, even serious wet. Bravo for sticking with it. -E
Like Emery said, I would leave the green leaves: you have cut the top but the roots (at least those that did not rot) were being supported by a denser crown so to balance the tree and avoid potential collapse you'd better keep all the leaves. You will have plenty of time for pruning them off next year Gomero
I think a photo of the tree may help settle some issues about whether to prune out the green leaves or not. Reverting leaves can be problem but so can leaves that return to wild type or in the case of Flamingo leaves that are like the rootstock. In either case, it is usually prudent to pluck off the leaves or rub off the stems that have green leaves as there is a better than good chance that even the non vigorous green growth can become vigorous later on and will try to take over the tree. I would not leave the green leaves on the tree at all but if you are limited for total leaf volume then they may have to stay (your choice) until your tree better adapts to its new location in your yard. Douglas gave you sage advice regarding this tree. I concur having seen my fair share of variegated trees become all green rather fast when people did not take heed of such pertinent, conscientious advice. Jim
I will certainly send a photo in asap I go back to the cabin. Its raining now and 14 degrees! So I have to wait. I'm also really interested in how the all white leaves and all pink leaves occur and why only the all green take over. Douglas's older mail was directed to another maple enthusiast, but I certainly would think such eloquent and knowledgable answers like that one should be framed and placed on a wall. AMAZING!!!!! I'll send a photo in a week. Should I continue on this thread or start new? Hilsen Renata
Gomero, at the risk of alienating Renata, I'll provide my reply to a Private Message that came into me shortly after the photos were posted. ‘8 Hours Ago mr.shep Plant Collector/Home Gardener Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: San Joaquin Valley, California Posts: 1,302 Question Re: Photos of Acer Negundo Flamingo Hello Renata: Just took a look at the photos and feel you are in good shape. Even the leaves that are mostly green still show some variegation. It is when we see new growth at the tips of the branches that leaf out an abnormal (for a variegated tree) amount of non variegated leaves is when we may have to prune or rub off that stem. Flamingo is not a stable tree until it gets some age in the ground. In other words, for a while you can expect to see different patterns of color in the leaves until the tree settles down in time. Then you may see leaves that appear to look pretty uniform in color and markings year in and year out from then on. Please note: Acer negundo is a Maple that is notorious for sending out sucker growth from the bottom of the base of the tree (usually seen come about from ground level). If you ever you see these vigorous green growth sucker growths you should immediately prune them off the trunk or at the ground level. It is doubtful these growths will be variegated but if they are you can decide whether or not to keep them on the tree, but even if they are variegated, if you want to keep this a single trunk tree rather than a large shrub or a multiple trunk tree then they probably should come off as well. A lot will depend on the amount of top growth you are or have been or have not been getting should you want to keep any of the variegated sucker growth..’ Jim
Thanks Mr Shep! That this tree looks in good shape now is absoultely the BEST news this summer:) I'll paste in one more photo on this thread in a couple of days and after that I look forward to having a nice contribution for the photo gallery some day. Renata
Here are two last pics showing the variety and 'explosion' of new foliage on my tree............ Thanks for sharing outstanding knowledge and excellent tips for all threads, and enjoy your maples this fall everyone. Renata
